A large explosion tore through a fertility clinic in Palm Springs late Saturday morning, sending debris flying across the street and rattling windows miles away.

An apparent blast at the American Reproductive Centers left five people injured, one person dead, and is under investigation by federal and local authorities, including the FBI, with terrorism not yet ruled out, as the Daily Mail reports.

The explosion happened just before 11 a.m. at the American Reproductive Centers, located on North Indian Canyon Drive near East Tachevah Drive. The blast was powerful enough to be felt up to two miles from the scene, according to multiple witnesses. Shattered windows were reported at several nearby buildings, including a liquor store and parts of the Desert Regional Medical Center.

The front section of the reproductive center was blown from the structure and landed in a hospital parking lot across the street. A vehicle’s rear axle was discovered still aflame behind the clinic, indicating the force of the blast may have originated from a car. Though some local media suggested it could be a vehicular explosion, authorities have not confirmed that detail.

Fire crews and first responders arrived swiftly to the chaotic scene, where they discovered five individuals suffering from injuries. Though their conditions were not immediately released, officials confirmed that at least one suspected individual is dead. While authorities remain cautious in their statements, federal investigators are weighing all possibilities, including the potential of domestic terrorism.

Federal probe underway

Law enforcement officials have emphasized that the full cause behind the explosion remains under active investigation. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is involved in determining whether there was any deliberate intent behind the incident. Lt. William Hutchinson told The Desert Sun that “everything is in question,” highlighting the high stakes of the investigation underway.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office stated that the state’s emergency services agency is active in coordinating with local and federal partners. The governor has been fully briefed on the event, and California’s emergency personnel remain engaged at the site. Authorities have asked the public to steer clear of the area to allow emergency services to operate effectively.

Despite the chaos, the nearby Desert Regional Medical Center has remained operational, and its critical services have not been affected. The explosion occurred near the hospital’s grounds but did not impact the medical center directly. Officials reassured the community that patient care continues without disruption.

No patients present

Dr. Maher Abdallah, who runs the American Reproductive Centers, confirmed that no patients were scheduled for treatment at the time of the explosion. The facility, which opened in 2006, provides fertility services such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), egg donation, and surrogacy assistance. Dr. Abdallah told The Associated Press he was thankful that no patients had been inside the building when the explosion occurred.

Abdallah stated that all medical personnel were accounted for and safe. While some consultation offices were damaged, the IVF lab and storage areas that house embryos were not impacted. The incident is especially notable amid ongoing national debates about reproductive health and access to fertility treatments.

President Donald Trump recently elevated IVF access as a national policy priority, further bringing attention to medical facilities like the one affected in this incident. However, the clinic does not conduct abortions -- a fact confirmed by the center’s leadership in response to public speculation.

Scene of devastation described

Those near the site at the time of the explosion shared vivid recollections of the sudden and powerful blast. Local resident Tamara Cash said the sound was so loud it caused her physical shock and that alarms immediately erupted throughout the area. She told The Desert Sun that sirens could be heard almost instantly from multiple buildings nearby.

Another witness, Claudio Chavez, told the New York Times he was in his shop when he felt the blast. “It took out our window,” he said. “I just saw a bunch of smoke.”

Chavez continued, saying he had been waiting for clients when “all of a sudden it felt like a big explosion.” His account, along with others’, mirrors the extensive damage documented in images from the scene, including charred human remains and vehicle debris spread across several properties.

Graphic images of damage emerge

Photographs and videos shared on social media show the blast's extensive physical toll. In addition to widespread damage to the reproductive center and surrounding office buildings, visuals included smoke plumes and wreckage strewn across parking lots. A portion of a vehicle's undercarriage, still smoking, was found lodged behind the fertility center.

Responders at the site were met with challenging conditions as they began to secure the area, treat the injured, and collect evidence. Authorities have not formally released the identity of the deceased individual, who is believed to be the suspect in the case. An official autopsy and cause of death are still pending.

The investigation continues to focus on the origin point of the blast, with authorities evaluating if it was triggered by explosive materials, a deliberate act, or another mechanical failure. Public access to affected roads has been limited as forensics teams and structural engineers comb through the debris.

Community remains on edge

Residents throughout Palm Springs remain stunned as officials work to piece together what happened. With terrorism not ruled out, many await answers about what led to the explosion that sent shockwaves across the city -- both literally and emotionally.

For many in the community, the attack on a place tied to family creation is especially troubling. Fertility clinics are vital resources for many aspiring parents, and the symbolism of the destruction has alarmed citizens already engaged in broader national conversations about reproductive rights and medical access.

As the investigation progresses, Palm Springs officials are expected to hold a formal press conference detailing next steps in the inquiry. Until then, emergency crews continue managing the aftermath while residents grapple with the startling events of Saturday morning.