MORE than 700 people have been crushed to death after a stampede on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca during the annual hajj pilgrimage.

Officials in Saudi Arabia estimated the number of deaths at 717 while shocked members of the Muslim community are hoping for a clear explanation of what went wrong.

It is not known if any of the dead are British but the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has said it is in contact with the local authorities.

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed at the Hajj pilgrimage."

Rashid Mogradia, of the Council of British Hajjis, a national organisation which looks after the welfare of pilgrims who are going to Mecca, told BBC News: "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been affected.

"It is tragic news. On the one hand we have Muslims all around the world and here in the UK celebrating Eid while we have this tragic incident unfolding before us in Mina, Saudi Arabia.

"We have been in contact with a number of tour operators who have taken around 20,000 British pilgrims out for the hajj making up that figure of two million pilgrims."

He said: "We are seeing on a hourly basis and now minute-by-minute the numbers are increasing and we hope that will be the end of what we hear.

"There is a lot that has been done as far as infrastructure has been concerned, however we need to understand what has gone on today and how it can be improved so that further casualties and further incidents do not take place."

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are in contact with local authorities and urgently seeking more information following reports of a crush during the Hajj pilgrimage at Mecca."

The FCO urged worried relatives to contact the British Embassy in Saudi Arabia - + 966 11 4819 100 - or to go online - @FCOtravel - to contact the FCO via twitter.

It is the worst tragedy to hit hajj in 25 years and comes just two weeks after a giant construction crane came crashing down on the Grand Mosque in the Saudi city of Mecca, the focal point of the hajj.

A stampede in a tunnel killed over 1,400 pilgrims in 1990. Other tragic incidents have included the death of 244 pilgrims who were crushed in Mina in 2004 while more than 360 pilgrims were killed in a 2006 stampede also at Mina.

It is estimated that around 25,000 British nationals head overseas from the UK to Saudi Arabia for the hajj, according to Abta, the travel association.

Each year pilgrims pay hundreds of thousands of pounds to go on the religious trip, with people spending between £4,000-5,000 for a typical pilgrimage.

A message on behalf of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan said he was "deeply saddened" to learn of the stampede.

It added: "May Allah grant the martyrs a place in heaven Praying for the injured in Mina stampede and for the safe return of all the Hajis."

This year's hajj takes place between September 21-26.

The Church of England has also offered up prayers for those who have been caught up in the hajj tragedy. It is for those who have died, are working to save life and for those who are worried for people they love.

The tragedy occurred as Muslims around the world celebrated the key festival of Eid al-Adha Mohammed Adree Sharif, who joined pilgrims in the stoning ritual at the hajj, said he was " absolutely shocked" and "horrified" by the deaths as the event had seemed to be well organised.

He told ITV News: "We had heard about things like that happening in the past. the whole point of having different levels and a lot of money being spent by the Saudi government was to make it easier for the pilgrims.

"Today people are supposed to be celebrating Eid as well and yet no one is really celebrating here - we are just wandering around in shock and thinking 'for the grace of God, it could have been us'."

Share article The hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca that all believers who can afford it are required to perform once.

Eid al-Adha is known as the Feast of the Sacrifice as it recalls Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah.

Do you know anyone caught up in the tragedy? Call the Echo newsdesk on 01325 505064