In a quiet neighbourhood of Budapest, Hungary, lies the modest headquarters of BAC Consulting, a company linked to the production of pagers that exploded in Lebanon and Syria, part of an apparent Israeli operation against Hezbollah. The building, a duplex, houses multiple enterprises, including BAC Consulting.

Despite its involvement in the explosive devices, BAC Consulting’s official company registry lists 118 business functions, ranging from sugar and oil production to retail jewellery sales and natural gas extraction. The company, founded in May 2022, reported revenues of USD 725,000 in 2022 and USD 593,000 in 2023.

Deadly Explosions Linked to BAC

BAC Consulting reportedly supplied the pagers that killed at least 12 people, including two children, and injured approximately 2,800 in Tuesday’s coordinated attacks in Lebanon and Syria. Hezbollah and the Lebanese government blamed Israel for the incident. A second wave of explosions, involving walkie-talkies and solar equipment, occurred on Wednesday, killing at least nine people and injuring over 300.

BAC’s Role and Taiwanese Connection

Gold Apollo, the Taiwanese company whose brand appeared on the explosive pagers, confirmed Wednesday that BAC Consulting was authorised to use its trademark in specific regions. However, the design and manufacturing of the devices were solely BAC’s responsibility.

The Hungarian government responded swiftly, clarifying that BAC had no manufacturing operations in Hungary and that the pagers had never been in the country. “Authorities have confirmed that the company in question is a trading intermediary, with no manufacturing or operational site in Hungary,” government spokesman Zoltán Kovács posted on X (formerly Twitter). He added that Hungarian national security services were cooperating with international partners and that the incident posed no security risk to Hungary. BAC Consulting, which was registered as a limited liability company in May 2022, brought in USD 725,000 in revenue in 2022 and USD 593,000 in 2023, according to the company registry.

BAC CEO’s Background and Unclear Connections

Cristiana Bársony-Arcidiacono, the CEO of BAC Consulting, describes herself as a strategic adviser with a background in physics. Her LinkedIn profile lists various affiliations, including with international organizations like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and CARE humanitarian agency. However, many of these affiliations could not be immediately confirmed.

Attempts by the Associated Press to reach Bársony-Arcidiacono were unsuccessful, and it remains unclear what if any, direct connection she or BAC Consulting has to the attacks. Bársony-Arcidiacono is also associated with environmental and sustainability projects, having co-authored a paper on water management for a UNESCO conference.

Mystery Surrounds BAC Consulting

Despite its business profile and Bársony-Arcidiacono’s extensive resume, the company remains shrouded in mystery. A visit to the Budapest building housing BAC’s headquarters revealed that the address serves as a virtual office for various companies. The company’s website went offline on Wednesday, and phone calls to the listed number went unanswered.

Social media profiles linked to Bársony-Arcidiacono show her educational background at prestigious institutions such as the London School of Economics and Political Science and the School of Oriental and African Studies. Her Instagram account features travel photos from around the world, suggesting a life of diverse interests, but offering few clues to the recent events connected to her company.

The investigation into BAC Consulting and its involvement in the production of the explosive pagers continues, as international authorities seek more information about the company’s role in the deadly attacks.