The Hungarian government has firmly denied claims that pager devices involved in recent deadly explosions in Lebanon were manufactured in Hungary. This denial comes in response to earlier statements from Taiwanese pager firm Gold Apollo, which had suggested that the devices were produced by Budapest-based BAC Consulting.
The explosions, which resulted in 12 deaths—including two children—and nearly 3,000 injuries, were reportedly caused by pagers used by Hezbollah. The Iran-backed militant group has accused Israel of planting explosives inside the pagers.
Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese company that licensed its brand to BAC Consulting, stated that while BAC was authorized to use its brand, it had no involvement in the design or manufacturing of the pagers. The Taiwanese firm emphasized that the devices were not made in Taiwan and pointed to BAC Consulting for production responsibilities.
Hungarian officials, represented by government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs, refuted the claims, asserting that BAC Consulting does not have manufacturing operations in Hungary. Kovacs clarified that BAC Consulting is merely an intermediary and that the devices never entered Hungary, posing no national security threat. Hungary’s national security authorities are cooperating with international agencies to investigate further.
BAC Consulting, a small company registered in May 2022, appears to be a shell entity with limited operational infrastructure. The company’s CEO, Cristiana Barsony-Arcidiacono, has denied any involvement in manufacturing the pagers, stating that BAC was only responsible for intermediary services and brand trademark usage.
The explosions have intensified tensions in Lebanon, with Hezbollah promising retaliation and exacerbating the ongoing conflict with Israel.
Both Taiwan and Hungary have distanced themselves from any role in the production of the explosive pagers. Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs confirmed there was no record of Gold Apollo exporting pagers directly to Lebanon.
