Four people were killed and another critically injured after a hot air balloon crash Sunday morning in Eloy,  authorities said.

Eloy police said the crash occurred about 7:50 a.m. Sunday in a rural desert area about 60 miles south of Phoenix.

The balloon went down east of Sunshine Boulevard and Hanna Road, according to a statement released by the Eloy Police Department.

The victims’ names are being withheld until their relatives can be notified, police said.

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the cause of the fatal crash.

"The Eloy Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the families and  friends of those involved in this heartbreaking incident," the department stated in its release.

Independent Newsmedia contributed to this report.