Telecom giant Mobicom apologizes after execs spark massive Mongolian wildfire

TOKYO (TR) – The CEO of major telecom company Mobicom has issued an apology after executives from the firm sparked a massive grassland fire that ravaged a highly restricted nature reserve.

The blaze erupted in the heavily protected core zone of the Numrug Nature Reserve in eastern Mongolia’s Dornod Province on October 8.

“Speaking on behalf of Mobicom, as well as in my personal capacity, I offer my sincere and heartfelt apologies,” said Yasuhiro Ochi on October 14. “We firmly believe that we must fully uphold our social responsibilities.”

Subsidiary of KDDI/h2> According to local media, a group of 13 people, including Japanese executives from Mobicom — a telecom giant and consolidated subsidiary of KDDI — entered the fragile ecosystem in five vehicles on October 7. The fire broke out shortly before noon the following day when dry grass ignited beneath the undercarriage of the driving vehicles, quickly escalating into a massive inferno. Mobicom released a statement defending its executives, claiming the team was merely conducting a “site survey for the development of communication networks” when a vehicle caught fire and spread to the surrounding plains. However, Mongolian news outlet Eguur News and other local media painted a vastly different picture, alleging the convoy had no business purposes and was actually planning an illegal hunting trip and angling for the endangered Amur taimen. Мобиком корпорацийн гүйцэтгэх захирал Ясүхиро Очи: Бид байгаль орчинд учруулсан хохиролдоо гүнээ харамсаж, Монголын ард түмнээс чин сэтгэлээсээ уучлал хүсэж байна https://t.co/JTfN36aSeX — Eguur News (@Eguur_mn) October 14, 2026 Outrage In 2016, telecom titan KDDI acquired Mobicom after it was founded as a joint venture Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation and Mongolia’s Newcom Group. The incident has sparked outrage within the Mongolian government. Justice and Internal Affairs Minister Temuuren announced that both Mobicom employees and border checkpoint officials who allowed them entry will face severe accountability, vowing to make the culprits pay full compensation for the state’s losses. Deputy Prime Minister Nomtoibayar stated that an assessment of the damage to local wildlife is underway, adding that an investigation will determine whether Mobicom’s “business trip” into the restricted zone was genuinely necessary. The remote reserve, located over 90 kilometers from human settlements, is a crucial sanctuary for rare wildlife including reindeer, bears, and wild boars. While Mongolian officials confirmed the flames have been extinguished, they warned that dry air and strong winds pose a risk of reignition. Containing the disaster required a massive international effort. Mongolia deployed 60 response teams comprising 606 personnel and 100 vehicles to battle the blaze. The inferno grew so immense that neighboring China was forced to scramble over 3,400 firefighters and emergency personnel to the border, setting up strict surveillance zones to prevent the flames from spreading into Chinese territory. Take responsible action Ochi added that Mobicom will work closely with the relevant authorities and take responsible action based on the results of the investigation. “Furthermore, in light of the established facts and in compliance with relevant laws, we will take all necessary steps and commit ourselves to the restoration of the natural environment,” the CEO said.

According to local media, a group of 13 people, including Japanese executives from Mobicom — a telecom giant and consolidated subsidiary of KDDI — entered the fragile ecosystem in five vehicles on October 7.

The fire broke out shortly before noon the following day when dry grass ignited beneath the undercarriage of the driving vehicles, quickly escalating into a massive inferno.

Mobicom released a statement defending its executives, claiming the team was merely conducting a “site survey for the development of communication networks” when a vehicle caught fire and spread to the surrounding plains.

However, Mongolian news outlet Eguur News and other local media painted a vastly different picture, alleging the convoy had no business purposes and was actually planning an illegal hunting trip and angling for the endangered Amur taimen.

Мобиком корпорацийн гүйцэтгэх захирал Ясүхиро Очи: Бид байгаль орчинд учруулсан хохиролдоо гүнээ харамсаж, Монголын ард түмнээс чин сэтгэлээсээ уучлал хүсэж байна https://t.co/JTfN36aSeX — Eguur News (@Eguur_mn) October 14, 2026

Мобиком корпорацийн гүйцэтгэх захирал Ясүхиро Очи: Бид байгаль орчинд учруулсан хохиролдоо гүнээ харамсаж, Монголын ард түмнээс чин сэтгэлээсээ уучлал хүсэж байна https://t.co/JTfN36aSeX

— Eguur News (@Eguur_mn) October 14, 2026

Outrage In 2016, telecom titan KDDI acquired Mobicom after it was founded as a joint venture Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation and Mongolia’s Newcom Group. The incident has sparked outrage within the Mongolian government. Justice and Internal Affairs Minister Temuuren announced that both Mobicom employees and border checkpoint officials who allowed them entry will face severe accountability, vowing to make the culprits pay full compensation for the state’s losses. Deputy Prime Minister Nomtoibayar stated that an assessment of the damage to local wildlife is underway, adding that an investigation will determine whether Mobicom’s “business trip” into the restricted zone was genuinely necessary. The remote reserve, located over 90 kilometers from human settlements, is a crucial sanctuary for rare wildlife including reindeer, bears, and wild boars. While Mongolian officials confirmed the flames have been extinguished, they warned that dry air and strong winds pose a risk of reignition. Containing the disaster required a massive international effort. Mongolia deployed 60 response teams comprising 606 personnel and 100 vehicles to battle the blaze. The inferno grew so immense that neighboring China was forced to scramble over 3,400 firefighters and emergency personnel to the border, setting up strict surveillance zones to prevent the flames from spreading into Chinese territory. Take responsible action Ochi added that Mobicom will work closely with the relevant authorities and take responsible action based on the results of the investigation. “Furthermore, in light of the established facts and in compliance with relevant laws, we will take all necessary steps and commit ourselves to the restoration of the natural environment,” the CEO said.

In 2016, telecom titan KDDI acquired Mobicom after it was founded as a joint venture Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation and Mongolia’s Newcom Group.

The incident has sparked outrage within the Mongolian government. Justice and Internal Affairs Minister Temuuren announced that both Mobicom employees and border checkpoint officials who allowed them entry will face severe accountability, vowing to make the culprits pay full compensation for the state’s losses.

Deputy Prime Minister Nomtoibayar stated that an assessment of the damage to local wildlife is underway, adding that an investigation will determine whether Mobicom’s “business trip” into the restricted zone was genuinely necessary. The remote reserve, located over 90 kilometers from human settlements, is a crucial sanctuary for rare wildlife including reindeer, bears, and wild boars.

While Mongolian officials confirmed the flames have been extinguished, they warned that dry air and strong winds pose a risk of reignition.

Containing the disaster required a massive international effort. Mongolia deployed 60 response teams comprising 606 personnel and 100 vehicles to battle the blaze.

The inferno grew so immense that neighboring China was forced to scramble over 3,400 firefighters and emergency personnel to the border, setting up strict surveillance zones to prevent the flames from spreading into Chinese territory.

Take responsible action

Ochi added that Mobicom will work closely with the relevant authorities and take responsible action based on the results of the investigation.

“Furthermore, in light of the established facts and in compliance with relevant laws, we will take all necessary steps and commit ourselves to the restoration of the natural environment,” the CEO said.

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东京（TR）——大型电信公司 Mobicom 的首席执行官就该公司高管引发的大规模草原火灾道歉，这场火灾摧毁了一个高度限制的自然保护区。

10月8日，蒙古东部多尔诺德省努姆鲁格自然保护区核心区发生火灾。

“我谨代表Mobicom公司以及我个人，向大家致以最诚挚的歉意，”越智康弘于10月14日表示。“我们坚信，我们必须充分履行我们的社会责任。”

据当地媒体报道，10月7日，包括来自电信巨头Mobicom（KDDI旗下子公司）的日本高管在内的13人乘坐五辆车进入了这片脆弱的生态系统。第二天中午前不久，车辆底盘下方的干草被引燃，火势迅速蔓延成熊熊大火。Mobicom发表声明为其高管辩护，称该团队当时只是在进行“通信网络开发现场勘测”，结果一辆车起火并蔓延至周围平原。然而，蒙古新闻媒体Eguur News和其他当地媒体却描绘了截然不同的景象，他们声称该车队并无商业目的，实际上是在计划一次非法狩猎之旅，目标是濒危的阿穆尔哲罗鱼。 Мобиком корпорацийн гкойцэтгэх захирал Яскхиро Очи: Бид байгаль орчинд учруулсан хохиролдоо гЯнээ харамсаж, Монголын ард тумнээс чин сэтгэлээсээ уучлал хусэж байна https://t.co/JTfN36aSeX — Eguur 新闻 (@Eguur_mn) 2026 年 10 月 14 日愤怒 2016年，电信巨头KDDI收购了成立后的Mobicom此次事件由日本住友商事株式会社和蒙古新康集团合资成立。事件在蒙古政府内部引发强烈愤慨。司法和内政部长铁木伦宣布，Mobicom公司员工和允许他们入境的边境检查站官员都将面临严厉的问责，并誓言要让肇事者全额赔偿国家损失。副总理诺姆托巴亚尔表示，目前正在对当地野生动物的损失进行评估，并补充说，调查将确定Mobicom公司进入禁区的“商务旅行”是否真的必要。这片偏远的保护区距离人类居住区超过90公里，是驯鹿、熊和野猪等珍稀野生动物的重要栖息地。虽然蒙古官员确认火势已被扑灭，但他们警告说，干燥的空气和强风存在复燃的风险。控制这场灾难需要国际社会的大力支持。蒙古部署了60支救援队，共计606名人员和100辆车辆参与灭火。火势迅速蔓延，邻国中国被迫紧急调派3400多名消防员和应急人员前往边境，并设立严密监控区，以防止火势蔓延至中国境内。Ochi补充道，Mobicom将与相关部门密切合作，并根据调查结果采取负责任的行动。“此外，鉴于已查明的事实，我们将遵守相关法律，采取一切必要措施，致力于恢复自然环境，”这位首席执行官表示。

据当地媒体报道，10 月 7 日，包括来自 Mobicom（一家电信巨头，也是 KDDI 的合并子公司）的日本高管在内的 13 人乘坐五辆车进入了脆弱的生态系统。

第二天中午前不久，行驶车辆底盘下的干草被点燃，引发火灾，火势迅速蔓延成熊熊大火。

Mobicom 发表声明为其高管辩护，声称该团队当时只是在进行“通信网络开发现场勘测”，结果一辆车起火并蔓延到周围的平原。

然而，蒙古新闻媒体 Eguur News 和其他当地媒体却描绘了一幅截然不同的景象，声称该车队没有任何商业目的，实际上是在计划一次非法狩猎之旅，目标是濒危的阿穆尔哲罗鱼。

Мобиком корпорацийн гкойцэтгэх захирал Яскхиро Очи: Бид байгаль орчинд учруулсан хохиролдоо гЯнээ харамсаж, Монголын ард тумнээс чин сэтгэлээсээ уучлал хусэж байна https://t.co/JTfN36aSeX — Eguur 新闻 (@Eguur_mn) 2026 年 10 月 14 日

Мобиком корпорацийн гкойцэтгэх захирал Яскхиро Очи: Бид байгаль орчинд учруулсан хохиролдоо гЯнээ харамсаж、 Монголын ард тумнээс чин сэтгэлээсээ уучлал ххсэж байна https://t.co/JTfN36aSeX

— Eguur News (@Eguur_mn) 2026年10月14日

2016年，电信巨头KDDI收购了Mobicom公司。Mobicom是由日本住友商事株式会社和蒙古新康集团合资成立的。此次事件在蒙古政府内部引发了强烈愤慨。司法和内政部长铁木伦宣布，Mobicom员工和允许他们入境的边境检查站官员都将面临严厉的问责，并誓言要让肇事者全额赔偿国家损失。副总理诺姆托巴亚尔表示，目前正在对当地野生动物的损失进行评估，并补充说，调查将确定Mobicom进入禁区的“商务旅行”是否真的必要。这片偏远的保护区距离人类居住区超过90公里，是驯鹿、熊和野猪等珍稀野生动物的重要栖息地。虽然蒙古官员确认火势已被扑灭，但他们警告说，干燥的空气和强风存在复燃的风险。控制这场灾难需要国际社会的大规模努力。蒙古部署了60支应急救援队，共计606名人员和100辆车辆参与灭火。火势迅速蔓延，邻国中国被迫紧急调派3400多名消防员和应急人员前往边境，并设立严密监控区域，以防止火势蔓延至中国境内。采取负责任的行动。Ochi补充道，Mobicom将与相关部门密切合作，并根据调查结果采取负责任的行动。“此外，根据已查明的事实并遵守相关法律，我们将采取一切必要措施，致力于恢复自然环境，”这位首席执行官表示。

2016 年，电信巨头 KDDI 收购了 Mobicom，该公司是由日本住友商事株式会社和蒙古新康集团合资成立的。

这起事件在蒙古政府内部引发了强烈愤慨。司法和内政部长铁木伦宣布，Mobicom公司员工和允许他们入境的边境检查站官员都将面临严厉的问责，并誓言要让肇事者全额赔偿国家损失。

副总理诺姆托伊巴亚尔表示，目前正在对当地野生动物遭受的损害进行评估，并补充说，一项调查将确定Mobicom公司进入禁区的“商务考察”是否真的必要。这片偏远保护区距离人类居住地超过90公里，是驯鹿、熊和野猪等珍稀野生动物的重要庇护所。

蒙古官员证实火势已被扑灭，但他们警告说，干燥的空气和强风存在复燃的风险。

控制这场灾难需要国际社会的大规模努力。蒙古部署了60支救援队，包括606名人员和100辆车辆参与灭火。

火势迅速蔓延，邻国中国被迫紧急调集 3400 多名消防员和应急人员前往边境，设立严格的监控区，以防止火势蔓延到中国境内。

采取负责任的行动

Ochi补充说，Mobicom将与相关部门密切合作，并根据调查结果采取负责任的行动。

“此外，鉴于已确定的事实并遵守相关法律，我们将采取一切必要措施，致力于恢复自然环境，”首席执行官表示。

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