Exploding pagers in Lebanon linked to Hungarian intermediary
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Coordinated pager and radio explosions killed dozens in Lebanon; investigation traces supply chain to Hungarian firm BAC Consulting.
On September 17-18, 2024, coordinated explosions of pagers and handheld radios across Lebanon killed at least 37 people and wounded approximately 3,000, according to Lebanese health authorities. Hezbollah blamed Israel for the attacks. Bellingcat's investigation identified that the pagers were Gold Apollo AR-924 Rugged Pager models, produced under license by BAC Consulting, a Budapest-based trading intermediary. The company's CEO denied involvement, but New York Times reporting citing three intelligence officers indicated BAC Consulting operated as an Israeli front and that devices were tampered with before reaching Lebanon. The investigation revealed inconsistencies in the company's background and suspicious profiles associated with its management, raising questions about the supply chain compromise.
Bellingcat geolocated multiple explosion sites in Haret Hreik, a Hezbollah stronghold south of Beirut, using video evidence and timestamps. Footage showed devices detonating in victims' hands and satchels at approximately 3:30pm local time on September 17. A second wave of radio explosions followed on September 18. The pagers involved were specifically the Gold Apollo AR-924 model distributed by BAC Consulting under a long-term partnership agreement. Bellingcat identified a suspicious LinkedIn profile for "Eric Hansen," listed as Business Development Manager for BAC Consulting, with multiple fabricated employment histories and no verifiable educational records, suggesting the profile was part of operational cover.
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Source reporting: https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2024/09/20/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-exploding-pagers
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