THOUSANDS of Bradford families were last night still anxiously waiting for news from loved ones following a horrifying stampede and crush that killed more than 700 people during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

The city's MPs said that families across the city were yet to hear from relatives and friends who are in Mecca along with around two million other Muslim pilgrims.

An estimated 5,000 to 7,000 people from Bradford are taking part, according to the Council for Mosques.

It was initially feared that a Bradford woman was among those who had died in the crush.

A spokesman for the Bradford Council for Mosques confirmed that a Bradford woman in her 50s had died on the pilgrimage but she had not been caught up in the stampede.

It is thought that the woman, a mother who is from the Manningham area, died from a suspected heart attack unconnected to the stampede.

Zulfi Karim, of the Council for Mosques, said: "We are hoping and praying for those people who are out there. There are a lot of people from the city out there at the moment and we are liaising with the Foreign Office and the tour companies."

Bradford West MP Naz Shah said thousands of Bradford families were sitting by their telephones waiting for news about their loved ones.

She herself has not heard from her aunt and cousin who are both in Mecca for the pilgrimage.

"I have not heard from them and many families are in the same boat. Thousands of people in Bradford are worried and are sitting by their phones."

She described the death of a Bradford woman as sad news. "My heartfelt condolences go out to the family."

Bradford East MP Imran Hussain said he was not aware of any local people killed or injured, but that he knew many people were in the area.

“It is such a tragic incident,” said Mr Hussain. “This is the most holiest of events for Muslims. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families that have lost loved ones.

“There are thousands of people from Bradford out there at this time, but I am not aware of anyone being involved. It is very early stages and I am sure we will find out more in the coming hours and days.”

At least 717 people have been killed, and at least 863 other pilgrims were injured in the stampede earlier today, which took place in Mina, on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca.

Some two million people are taking part in this year's hajj pilgrimage, which began on Tuesday.

 The crush occurred on first day of the Eid al-Adha festival and is the second disaster to hit Saudi Arabia in a fortnight.

Zulfi Karim, of the Council for Mosques in Bradford, said: “This is an absolute tragedy, with the loss of life, at a time of year that is a joyous occasion.

“I am not sure if anyone local is involved but I am sure there are thousands of people that go from Bradford. I am sure there will be someone with connections back to Bradford and our region.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with families and friends of the victims.”

Bana Gora, of the Muslim Women’s Council, said she wasn’t aware of any people in Bradford affected at the moment, and added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones performing the hajj.”

David Ford, owner of Saltaire Book Shop, tweeted: "Hoping my wife's colleague is safe."

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."

Muslims travel to the site in order to throw pebbles and stones at the walls in a symbolic act of stoning of the devil.

It is not the first time there has been a crush as people push and shove their way forward to get close to the walls.

MORE TOP STORIES In 2006 more than 360 pilgrims were killed in a stampede in the same area.

Another stampede at Mina in 2004 left 244 pilgrims dead and hundreds injured.

The accident comes less than 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.

British nationals travel to the pilgrimage each year after saving for the "once in a lifetime trip".

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.

This year's Hajj takes place between September 21-6.