Emergency services have rushed to the scene of a horrifying explosion outside an IVF lab in Palm Springs, California, with reports of body parts strewn across the road.
The incident unfolded at around 11am local time today and has left residents reeling. One person has tragically been confirmed dead following the blast, which occurred next to a fertility clinic.
Disturbing details continue to emerge, with eyewitnesses reporting scenes of devastation near the lab. Emergency responders have cordoned off the area, and authorities are urging people to stay away from the site.
The FBI has arrived at the scene to assist with investigations. Spokesperson Nicole Lozano confirmed that investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are also en route.
The cause of the explosion is not yet known, and officials are expected to release more information as the investigation unfolds.
Local police have yet to rule out terrorism as a possible cause of the devastating explosion. Lieutenant William Hutchinson of the Palm Springs Police Department told The Desert Sun: “Everything is in question, whether this is an act of terrorism.”
The blast occurred at the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic, operated by Dr Maher Abdallah, who has since confirmed that all his staff members are safe and accounted for, according to The Mirror.
While the explosion caused significant damage to the clinic’s office area—used for patient consultations—the IVF laboratory itself, along with all stored embryos, was reportedly untouched.
“I really have no clue what happened,” Dr Abdallah said. “Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients.”
A local reporter claimed firefighters were dealing with a “structure fire,” while an NBC News journalist reported there were fears “this may have been a bomb” due to the heightened police presence. However, this has not been officially confirmed.
