1 killed, 5 injured as explosion rocks Palm Springs city in US state of California
Cause of explosion under investigation, FBI on scene, say officials
ISTANBUL
A powerful explosion struck Palm Springs, California, on Saturday around 11 am local time (1800GMT), killing at least one person, injuring five and damaging nearby businesses.
The blast near the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic shattered windowpanes, with residents reporting a strong force. One social media user reported feeling the blast 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) away.
Emergency crews, including police and firefighters, responded swiftly and cordoned off the site, according to the Palm Springs City Government. Authorities urged the public to avoid the area while operations continued.
A law enforcement source told ABC7 News that five people were injured in the explosion at the Palm Springs medical facility. A suspect is believed to have died in the blast.
Desert Sun, a local news website and part of the USA TODAY Network, quoted an official who said: "There appears to be at least one fatality."
An attorney for the Central District of California, Bill Essayli, said the FBI had responded to the scene and would examine whether the explosion was deliberate.
According to ABC7 News, spokesperson Nicole Lozano said agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are also en route to assist in the investigation.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, according to the report.
