A powerful explosion shook the upscale desert city of Palm Springs, California, late Saturday morning, prompting an immediate emergency response from police and fire crews.
City officials confirmed on social media that the blast occurred around 11 a.m. local time near the intersection of North Indian Canyon Drive and East Tachevah Drive. Residents were urged to avoid the area as investigators rushed to the scene.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has dispatched a team to aid in the investigation, according to spokesperson Nicole Lozano.
The explosion was traced to the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic. Dr. Maher Abdallah, who operates the facility, told the Associated Press that while the clinic’s consultation offices were damaged, their IVF laboratory and all stored embryos remained untouched. Fortunately, no patients were present at the time.
“I have no idea what triggered the explosion,” Dr. Abdallah said. “We’re grateful today was a quiet day with no appointments.”
Eyewitness Nima Tabrizi, 37, was visiting a nearby cannabis dispensary when he felt the force of the blast. “The whole building shook. We ran outside and saw a huge plume of smoke,” he recalled. “It felt like a bomb went off. When we got closer, we saw what looked like human remains. It was surreal.”
Palm Springs, a well-known luxury destination about two hours east of Los Angeles, is renowned for its stylish resorts and celebrity appeal. Saturday’s explosion has rocked the typically serene community, leaving many residents in shock as authorities work to uncover the cause.
