“This morning, a devastating incident occurred in our community. At around 7:50 AM, a hot air balloon crash-landed in the desert area east of Sunshine Blvd. and Hanna Rd. in Eloy, resulting in four fatalities and one critical injury,” Eloy Police Department said in a statement.

According to local sources, there were a total of 13 people in the hot air balloon at the time of the crash, including eight skydivers, four passengers, and a pilot.

One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other three victims died at the hospital. A fifth person is currently in critical condition at Valley Hospital.

The Eloy Police Department is working with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate the cause of the deadly crash.

The FAA has identified the downed balloon as a Cameron Balloons A160 aircraft. Investigators are examining the aircraft at the scene to determine the cause of the crash. (ILKHA)