Palm Springs explosion: One dead after blast in California at IVF clinic in possible ‘intentional act’

An explosion in California has killed at least one person, with the FBI now on the scene of a reproductive centre and local hospital conducting a forensic investigation.

The blast occurred around 11am on Saturday (local time) on Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, with mixed reports claiming it was either a gas explosion from a medical facility or a car explosion.

It is understood that police have not yet identified the body.

Local Government released a statement asking locals to “stay away”.

“The City of Palm Springs would like to advise the community that just before 11 am this morning an explosion occurred on North Indian Canyon Drive near East Tachevah Drive, Palm Springs,” the statement said.

“Police and Fire are currently on scene and request that residents stay away from the area so that emergency crews can work the incident.

“More details will follow.”

Crews were seen responding to the American Reproductive centre and the nearby local hospital, Desert Regional Medical Centre.

US Attorney Bill Essayli confirmed investigations are underway to confirm whether the blast was an “intentional act”.

“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,” Mr Essayli wrote on X.

“We will release as much information as possible once we are able to confirm details.”

Locals said the blast rocked the entire city of Palm Springs.

Nima Tabrizi, 37, of Santa Monica, said he was inside a cannabis dispensary nearby when he felt a massive explosion.

“The building just shook, and we go outside and there’s massive cloud smoke,” they said.

“Crazy explosion. It felt like a bomb went off.

“We went up to the scene, and we saw human remains.”

Palm Springs is a tiny community in the desert about a two-hour drive west of Los Angeles, known for upscale resorts and a history of celebrity residents.

- With AP