History of tragedies at Haj pilgrimage

MECCA: The deadly stampede at the Haj in Saudi Arabia on Thursday is just the latest tragedy to strike the pilgrimage.

Here is a timeline of significant incidents during the annual event, which draws around two million Muslim faithful from around the world.

—2015

September 24: A stampede during the “stoning of the devil” ritual in Mina, near Mecca, leaves at least 310 people dead and hundreds injured.

September 11: 109 people are killed and hundreds injured, including many foreigners, when a crane collapses on Mecca’s Grand Mosque after strong winds and heavy rain.

—2006

January 6: 76 people die when a hotel collapses in the city centre.

January 12: 364 pilgrims are killed in a stampede during the stoning ritual in Mina. The ritual involves Haj participants throwing pebbles at three headstones, symbolising their rejection of Satan.

—2005

January 22: Three pilgrims are crushed to death in a stampede at the stoning ceremony in Mina.

—2004

February 1: 251 people are killed in a stampede at Mina, also at the stoning of the devil.

—2003

February 11: 14 faithful, including six women, die on the first day of the stoning ritual.

—2001

March 5: 35 pilgrims, including 23 women, die at the ritual in Mina.

—1998

April 9: More than 118 people are killed and 180 injured in a stampede at Mina.

—1997

April 15: A fire caused by a gas stove rips through a camp housing pilgrims at Mina, killing 343 and injuring around 1,500.

—1995

May 7: Three people die and 99 are injured when a fire breaks out at the Mina camp.

—1994

May 24: 270 people are killed in a stampede during the stoning, an

incident authorities attribute to “record numbers” of pilgrims at the site.

—1990

July 2: A huge stampede in a tunnel at Mina after a failure in its ventilation system kills 1,426 pilgrims, mainly from Asia.

—1989

July 10: A twin attack on the outside of the Grand Mosque kills one and wounds 16.

—1987

July 31: Saudi security forces suppress an unauthorised protest held by Iranian pilgrims. More than 400 people, including 275 Iranians are killed, according to an official toll.

—1979

November 20: Hundreds of gunmen opposed to the Saudi government barricade themselves inside the Grand Mosque, taking dozens of pilgrims hostage. The official toll of the assault and subsequent fighting is 153 people dead and 560 wounded.

—1975

December: A huge fire started by a gas cannister exploding in a pilgrim camp close to Mecca kills 200 people. afp

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