An explosion reportedly felt at least one person died in Palm Springs on Saturday and severely damaged several buildings, including a fertility clinic.
The explosion occurred on North Indian Canyon Drive near East Tachevah Drive, the city of Palm Springs said in a statement.
Photos at the scene show extensive damage to the American Reproductive Center, the fertility clinic and the IVF laboratory across the street from the Desert Regional Medical Center.
Palm Springs Mayor Ron Deharte told The Times via text that he could “confirm that this is a bomb parked in a car in a building or near a late one.”
The Desert Sun reported that Palm Springs police lieutenant William Hutchinson said the explosion appeared to involve a car parked in front of the U.S. reproductive center.
A witness told the newspaper that when he walked past the clinic five minutes after the explosion, he saw body parts and car parts.
The telephone line to the clinic has been discontinued on Saturday afternoon.
The city of Palm Springs requires residents to stay away from the scene so that first responders can work without any obstacles.
According to its website, the American Reproductive Center is “the first and only full-service fertility center and IVF laboratory in Coachella Valley.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a social media post that an explosion had erupted in his office and was “coordinating with local and federal authorities to support the response.”
