France has expressed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia after the death of 717 pilgrims in the Mina stampede.

"We are saddened by hearing the news about this tragedy," said Roman Nadal, the spokesman of the French foreign ministry.

The number of pilgrims who died in the stampede rose to 717, according to the Saudi Civil Defense Service.

The crush took place at 7:30 a.m. on Street 204 of the camp city at Mina where pilgrims are stoning three pillars symbolizing the devil.

Hajj is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and a religious duty that must be carried out by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so at least once in his or her lifetime.

Source: MENA