PARIS, April 25 (Xinhua) -- France is ready to provide rescue assistance to Nepal after a major earthquake hit the country, said French president Francois Hollande Saturday.

In a press release of his presidential office the Elysee, Hollande expressed France's solidarity with the people and the government of Nepal after the earthquake in the Kathmandu area.

A 8.1-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal early Saturday morning, the China Earthquake Networks Center said.

The epicenter was monitored at 28.2 degrees north latitude and 84.7 degrees east longitude, and the focus of the quake is 20 km deep, according to the center.

More than 700 people were killed so far by the deadly earthquake, according to local authorities.