Japan firm probes reports its radios were used in attack on Hezbollah

STORY: Japanese radio equipment maker Icom said Thursday that it was looking into reports that two-way radio devices bearing its logo have exploded in Lebanon.

Hand-held radios used by armed group Hezbollah detonated on Wednesday across Lebanon's south, just one day after similar explosions of the group's pagers.

Lebanon's health ministry said 20 people were killed and 450 injured on Wednesday in Beirut's suburbs and the Bekaa Valley.

The death toll from Tuesday's explosions rose to 12 with nearly 3,000 injured.

Reuters was able to obtain a model of the handheld radio said to have been used in Wednesday’s attack, known as the IC-V82.

In this video of Reuters' disassembly of the device, "ICOM" branding and "made in Japan” labels are clearly visible.

Icom said it was not possible to confirm whether the radio product reportedly related to the explosions was shipped by the company.

Sales of the device were reportedly discontinued about 10 years ago.

Icom said that the batteries required to operate the device had also been discontinued.

The company added that its products exported overseas undergo strict regulatory processes set by the Japanese government.

Icom has previously warned about counterfeit versions of its devices circulating in the market, especially discontinued models.