ALBAWABA - A theory roamed social media following the tragic mass pager explosion that the staff at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) had changed their paging system on August 29th, hinting at them having previous information regarding the tragic attack.
An alleged screenshot of a message addressing the AUB Medical Center community roamed X calling on all staff members to hand in their pager devices to be replaced with a different system, claiming that the new system provides "better coverage".
"The new paging system will be restricted to emergency code teams, ensuring improved reliability and focused communication during critical situations. Please note that the code activation process will remain centralized in the Call Center" the alleged message reads.
An X user claimed that the mass pager explosion targeted doctors and nurses of several medical centers across Beirut, except for the AUBMC staff members, claiming that the administration was already informed that the attack would be taking place later, hence the abrupt change of the paging system.
Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad told reporters that at least eight people were killed and thousands were injured. "About 2,750 people were injured... more than 200 of them critically with injuries mostly reported to the face, hands and stomach," Abiad added.
Hezbollah officials stated at least two of their members and a child had been killed when the group's new pagers detonated, wounding hundreds of Hezbollah members throughout Lebanon and parts of Syria.
Hezbollah described the pager explosions as "mysterious" and said it is investigating the cause of the "simultaneous" blasts, while Israel immediately blamed Hezbollah.
