This story was last updated at 1:30 p.m. ET.
At least 717 people were killed and 805 were injured in a stampede during hajj outside Mecca on Thursday, Saudi Arabia's civil defense authorities said.
Medical teams were on the scene in Mina, which is about three miles from Mecca.
The stampede happened at the junction between Street 204 and Street 223 as pilgrims walked toward the Jamarat Bridge.
The death toll and injury numbers have been rising throughout the day, with authorities tweeting updates on the situation. Those in Saudi Arabia can call a hotline to check if their loves ones are among the injured or dead. The number to call is 937, according to Wall Street Journal reporter Ahmed Al Omran.
Amateur video shared on social media showed a horrific scene, with scores of bodies — the men dressed in the simple terry cloth garments worn during hajj — lying amid crushed wheelchairs and water bottles along a sunbaked street.
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has created a formal investigation committee to conduct a full survey of Thursday's incident.
Video from the scene show the relief effort is still underway as a parade of ambulance cars drove on to the scene.
Now A video posted by Makkah And Madinah 24H Live (@makkahmadinah_24h) on Sep 24, 2015 at 3:51am PDT
Survivors assessed the scene from the top of roadside stalls near white tents as rescue workers in orange and yellow vests combed the area.
Other pilgrims waited and sought refuge from the heat. The temperature was over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Mecca today.
As the day draws to a close in Saudi Arabia, other pilgrims continued on their hajj. Thursday is the end of the Eid al-Adha, a festival of sacrifice that is one of two Muslim holidays. It is celebrated by slaughtering animals to feed the poor.
Hajj unobstructed by stampede, pilgrims still arriving http://t.co/GgLg8siUOO pic.twitter.com/80yx8z0V6w— Basma Atassi | (@Basma_) September 24, 2015
Thousands of people still walking. Despite the 700+ dead today. Something beautiful about that. #MinaStampede #Hajj pic.twitter.com/joXWI53pqt— Ethar El-Katatney (@etharkamal) September 24, 2015
Thursday's stampede was the deadliest disaster at the hajj for many years. However, the latest tragedy is unfortunately not an outlier. The large crowds of people and the packed tent cities have seen multiple incidents. In 2006, more than 360 pilgrims were killed in a stampede in the same area. In 1997, 340 pilgrims died when a fire swept through Mina's tent city.
Iran's government is blaming Saudi Arabia for Thursday's stampede.
"We can in no way be indifferent to this irresponsible behavior of Saudi Arabia. This will be dealt with through diplomatic channels," said Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.
At least 43 Iranian citizens were identified among those who passed away, according to Al Jazeera.
Earlier this month a crane collapsed at the famed Masjid al Haram mosque in Mecca leaving more than 100 dead and scores more wounded.
Each year between 2 million to 3 million Muslims from around the world take part in the five-day pilgrimage in Mecca. They circle Islam's most sacred site, the cube-shaped Kaaba, and take part in a series of intricate rituals.
Some information from The Associated Press
Mashable's Huizhong Wu contributed reporting.