Bomb explosion at California fertility clinic kills one
A bomb blast outside a fertility clinic in the United States has killed one person, in what the US attorney general called an "unforgivable" attack.
The blast, in Palm Springs in the US state of California, badly damaging the facility and broke windows and doors of other nearby buildings.
"The blast appears to be an intentional act of violence and the blast extends for blocks with several buildings damaged, some severely," Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills said.
"There has been one fatality, the person's identity is not known," he added.
The Palm Springs city government said the explosion happened before 11am PDT (7pm Irish time).
Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte told AFP investigators had "confirmed a bomb exploded in or near a vehicle".
Aerial footage of the scene showed the clinic's roof had collapsed.
The charred remnants of a vehicle lay in a parking lot, some distance from the apparent epicenter of the explosion.
Debris was blown through the building and scattered across the road, while the roofs of a number of nearby buildings were damaged, indicating the intense force of the blast.
The local ABC affiliate, which cited an unnamed law enforcement source, reported five people were also injured in the explosion.
A statement posted on social media by the clinic said no staff had been hurt and that its lab - "including all eggs, embryos, and reproductive materials - remains fully secure and undamaged".
It said that "a vehicle exploded in the parking lot near our building".
The FBI in Los Angeles said in a social media post that it is investigating the explosion, with bomb technicians deployed to the scene.
Reproductive care, including abortion and fertility services, remains controversial in the United States, where some conservatives believe the procedures should be outlawed for religious reasons.
Violence against clinics providing such services is rare, but not unheard of.
US President Donald Trump's Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal agents were working to determine exactly what had happened.
I have been briefed on the explosion at a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California that took place today. Federal agents are on the ground now responding alongside local law enforcement.
We are working to learn more, but let me be clear: the Trump administration understands…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) May 17, 2025
In a statement on social media, Ms Bondi said: "But let me be clear: the Trump administration understands that women and mothers are the heartbeat of America.
"Violence against a fertility clinic is unforgivable."
People living near the facility reported feeling the shaking from the blast.
Matt Spencer, who lives in a nearby apartment complex, told the Palm Springs Post he ran outside as soon as he heard the explosion and was confronted with the sight of the burnt car.
"I could see the back of the car still on fire and the rims, that was the only thing that distinguished it as a car," he said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed on the explosion, his office said.
US Attorney Bill Essayli said his office was aware of the blast.
"FBI is on scene and will be investigating whether this was an intentional act," he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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