Saudi crane collapse latest in string of Haj tragedies

Mecca: The deadly crane collapse at the Grand Mosque in Mecca is just the latest tragedy to strike the Haj pilgrimage.

Here is a timeline of significant incidents in the Saudi holy city during Haj, which draws millions of Muslim faithful from around the world each year.

2015- 11 September: At least 107 people are killed and hundreds injured when a crane collapses on Mecca's Grand Mosque after strong winds and heavy rain.

2006- 6 January: 76 people perish when a hotel collapses in the city centre.

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

2005- 22 January: Three pilgrims are crushed to death in a stampede at the stoning ceremony in Mina.

2004- 1 February: 251 people are killed in a stampede at Mina, also at the Stoning of the Devil.

2003- 11 February: 14 faithful, including six women, die on the first day of the stoning ritual.

2005- March: 35 pilgrims, including 23 women, die at the ritual in Mina.

1998- 9 April: More than 118 people are killed and 180 injured in a stampede at Mina.

1997- 15 April: A fire caused by a gas stove rips through a camp housing pilgrims at Mina, killing 343 and injuring around 1,500.

1995- 7 May: Three people die and 99 are injured when a fire breaks out at the Mina camp.

1994- 24 May: 270 people are killed in a stampede during the Stoning of the Devil, an incident authorities attribute to "record numbers" of pilgrims at the site.

1990- 2 July: A huge stampede in a tunnel at Mina after a failure in its ventilation system kills 1,426 pilgrims, mainly from Asia.

1989- 10 July: A twin attack on the outside of the Grand Mosque kills one and wounds 16. Sixteen Kuwaiti Shiites are found guilty of the crime and executed weeks later.

1987- 31 July: 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- 20 November: 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.

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