An explosion that severely damaged the fertility clinic on Saturday in the superb California city of Palm Springs was apparently deliberate, local authorities said. One person was found dead and the FBI said he was sending investigators, including bomb technicians, to the scene.
Palm Springs police chief Andy Mills said in a statement that the explosion “seems to be a deliberate act of violence” and that several buildings had been damaged, some severely.
“There was a fatality, a person’s identity is unknown,” Mills said.
The law is being investigated as a possible explosion of cars, according to two law enforcement officers, informed on the subject, who demand an anonymity to discuss preliminary information from a continuing investigation. One of the officials told the AP that investigators believe the person who died was probably the person who went on the explosion, but they warned that the investigation was still in his early stages. Authorities have not revealed a motive.
Prosecutor General Pam Bondi said the federal agents are working to learn more about the explosion, adding: “Let me be clear: Trump’s administration understands that women and mothers are a heart rhythm of America. Violence against a fertility clinic is unforgivable.”
The Los Angeles Field Service in Los Angeles said, through the social platform X, that “the assets that are unfolding include investigators, bombs technicians and an evidence response team.” Investigators from the alcohol, tobacco, firearm and explosives also assisted.
The city of Palm Springs said the explosion happened at 11am and residents were asked to avoid the area around the North Indian Canyon Drive near East Tacheva Drive.
Dr. Maher Abdala, who runs the US Fruit Clinic of Reproductive Centers, confirmed that his facility was damaged. He told AP in a telephone interview that all employees are safe and reported. The explosion damaged the office space of the practice where it consulted with patients, but the IVF laboratory and the stored embryos were spared.
“I really have no idea what happened,” Abdala said. “Thank goodness today happened a day when we have no patients.”
Air video showed a burned car in a parking lot behind the building, which housed the office space of the fertility clinic. The explosion was driven into the roof and blown a wide field of debris across the sidewalk and four strips on the other side of the structure.
The 47 -year -old Rhino Williams said he was talking with clients at a restaurant that helps to run inside the Skylark Hotel just above a block when he heard a huge boom. Everything shook, Williams said, and he sprinted on stage to see if anyone needs help.
Williams saw a lot of dark gray smoke and covered his nose with his shirt while smelling like burning plastic and rubber. He said he saw that the building had “blown” on the street, with bricks and debris scattered everywhere and noticed the front axle of the car in the parking lot.
He said it was the only car in the lot he saw. He came across the building, shouted and peered behind the counter to see if anyone was inside. He did not hear the answer and saw no one behind the counter.
Williams then ran to check other buildings. Numerous windows from the neighboring alcohol store were also swollen, he said. After seeing that the authorities were arriving, he headed back to the hotel.
The 37 -year -old Tabrrisi of Santa Monica said she was in a cannabis dispensary nearby when she felt a massive explosion.
“The building is just shaking, and we’re going out and has a massive cloud smoke,” Tabrizi said. “A crazy explosion. I felt like a bomb came down. … We got on the scene and saw human remains.”
Palm Springs is about two hours by car east of Los Angeles. It is known for high resorts, golf courses and history of celebrity residents.