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PALM SPRINGS (CNS) - A powerful explosion -- apparently originating in a vehicle parked outside a fertility clinic -- rocked Palm Springs Saturday, heavily damaging the clinic while killing one person and shattering windows at multiple other businesses.
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Palm Springs police Chief Andy Mills confirmed that one person died in the blast, which occurred around 11 a.m. in the 1100 block of North Indian Canyon Drive near the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic, which was extensively damaged. Mills said the identity of the person who died "is not known."
An image posted online by a witness showed what appeared to be at least part of a body near the blast scene, which was later covered with a white blanket.
Mills said the explosion "appears to be an intentional act of violence, and the blast field extends for blocks with several buildings damaged -- some severely." He added, "The incident appears to be isolated."
The owner of the fertility clinic said in a statement that a vehicle parked near the building exploded, damaging the clinic's office space. Images from the scene showed the remains of a vehicle in the parking lot in the rear of the clinic. The blast appeared to originate in that rear lot, with the force of the explosion ripping completely through to the front of the building, with the clinic's front facade thrown into the street.
Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte told the Los Angeles Times he could "confirm it was a bomb in or near a vehicle parked at the building."
A host of federal authorities descended on the scene as crews worked to determine if the blast was an act of terrorism.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli posted a message on X saying, "We are aware of the explosion that occurred this morning in Palm Springs. FBI is on scene and will be investigating whether this was an intentional act. We will release as much information as possible once we are able to confirm details."
The FBI posted that it "is responding with police and fire partners to the scene of an explosion on N. Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. FBI assets being deployed include investigators, bomb technicians and an evidence response team. Please contact local authorities for safety precautions in the area."
Nicole Lozano, spokeswoman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Los Angeles, said ATF personnel were en route to the scene of the explosion.
"We have no solid information at this point and don't want to speculate," she said. "Once we get our agents there, we will be better prepared to respond to questions."
Mills said Palm Springs police were coordinating with the FBI and working to determine who would become the lead investigative agency.
ABC7 in Los Angeles, citing an unnamed law enforcement source, reported that five people were injured in the explosion and the person who died was a suspect in the blast.
Video posted online by witnesses showed debris scattered in the street in front of the clinic and windows shattered at multiple businesses in the area, including a nearby liquor store. Residents also reported online feeling the shaking from the blast throughout the city.
The American Reproductive Centers facility was not open at the time of the blast. According to the business' website, the clinic is the Coachella Valley's "first and only full-service fertility center and IVF (in vitro fertilization) lab." Its services also include LGBTQ family building, egg donation and freezing, fertility evaluations and embryo transfer.
Dr. Maher Abdallah, who runs the clinic, posted a message on social media saying the facility's office space was damaged, but the lab was untouched. He confirmed that no employees of the clinic were injured.
Abdallah said "a vehicle exploded in the parking lot near our building."
"We are immensely grateful to share that no members of the ARC team were harmed, and our lab -- including all eggs, embryos, and reproductive materials -- remains fully secure and undamaged," he said. "We are heavily conducting a complete safety inspection and have confirmed that our operations and sensitive medical areas were not impacted by the blast.
"Our mission has always been to help build families, and in times like these, we are reminded of just how fragile and precious life is. In the face of this tragedy, we remain committed to creating hope -- because we believe that healing begins with community, compassion, and care.
"Out of every tragedy, there is an opportunity to come together with deeper purpose. While today*s events have shaken us all, they also shine a light on the strength of our community, the bravery of our first responders, and the resilience of the families we serve."
Abdallah said the clinic would be open for business on Monday, despite the extensive damage.
The clinic is located near Desert Regional Medical Center, which did not sustain any serious damage.
"On Saturday morning an explosion occurred at an unaffiliated office building across the street from Desert Regional Medical Center," according to a hospital statement. "Hospital staff is cooperating with police as they investigate the cause. Our emergency department remains open and our hospital is fully operational. We are temporarily asking visitors to refrain from coming to the hospital as police have limited access to the road in front of our campus. Some windows were broken in a medical office building directly facing the explosion. Hospital operations have not been affected."
Gov. Gavin Newsom's office issued a statement saying Newsom "has been briefed on the explosion."
"The state, through (the Office of Emergency Services) is coordinating with local and federal authorities to support the response," according to Newsom's office.
Assemblyman Greg Wallis, R-Rancho Mirage, posted on X, "I'm aware of the alarming explosion in Palm Springs and my heart goes out to all those affected. I'm working with law enforcement to understand this tragedy as it unfolds. "
Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Palm Desert, also said his office was monitoring the situation.
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