PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — A powerful explosion near a Palm Springs fertility clinic on Saturday morning killed one person and caused extensive damage to multiple buildings, including a prominent in vitro fertilization lab, in what officials are calling a suspected car bomb attack.
The blast occurred just before 11 a.m. on North Indian Canyon Drive near East Tachevah Drive, according to a statement from the city government. The explosion, which was reportedly felt more than two miles away, tore through the area with such force that debris and structural damage extended to nearby properties.
Photos from the scene showed American Reproductive Centers, a full-service fertility and IVF clinic, heavily damaged. The facility sits directly across from Desert Regional Medical Center, a major healthcare hub in the Coachella Valley.
Palm Springs Mayor Ron DeHarte confirmed in a text message to the Los Angeles Times that a bomb detonated in or near a vehicle parked adjacent to the clinic. “One deceased,” DeHarte stated.
Palm Springs Police Lieutenant William Hutchinson told the Desert Sun that initial investigations suggest the explosion originated from a vehicle parked directly in front of American Reproductive Centers. Authorities have not yet identified the deceased or confirmed if the incident was targeted.
A witness who arrived at the scene minutes after the blast described a harrowing sight. “I saw body parts and car parts scattered outside the clinic,” he told the Desert Sun.
The phone lines to the clinic were down Saturday afternoon, and the city urged the public to stay away from the scene to allow emergency personnel to conduct their work without obstruction.
American Reproductive Centers, led by board-certified physician Dr. Maher A. Abdallah, is the Coachella Valley’s only full-service fertility clinic and IVF laboratory, according to its website.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said his office had been briefed on the incident and was actively coordinating with local and federal agencies to support the emergency response. In a social media post, Newsom said the state “will continue to monitor developments closely.”
There was no immediate information on a possible motive behind the explosion, and officials have not confirmed whether it was connected to any broader threat. Federal authorities, including bomb squad and anti-terror units, were reportedly en route to assist in the investigation.
The explosion comes amid heightened security alerts nationwide, and the blast’s proximity to a medical facility that provides reproductive health services is expected to draw further scrutiny.
As investigators work to determine the cause and scope of the damage, Palm Springs remains on edge, with authorities emphasizing public safety and cooperation in the hours following the deadly explosion.
