Millions of Muslims make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia every year. The hajj, as the journey is known, is considered the world's largest annual gathering of people. Sometimes the sheer number of participants leads to tragic consequences, as was the case on Sept. 24 when, according to an Associated Press count, more than 1,400 people were killed in a stampede.
According to Saudi officials, at least another 800 people were injured in the incident. The tragic event was only the most recent time where hundreds of hajjis were killed in a similar incident.
Since 1990, at least 3,900 people have been killed in stampedes during the pilgrimage, depending on the accuracy of the various death tolls.
Listed below are the deadly stampede incidents that have occurred during the hajj in the last 25 years.
2015: At least 1,453 people were killed and hundreds more were injured in a stampede in Mina, on the outskirts of Mecca. According to Al Jazeera, despite the large-scale tragedy, the day's scheduled hajj ritual was still carried out. If the Associated Press' death toll is accurate, this would be the deadliest stampede incident during the hajj.
2006: At least 360 people were killed in a stampede that also happened in Mina.
2004: A stampede killed 244 people during the final day of hajj ceremonies, according to the New York Times.
2001: The final day of the pilgrimage was marred by the deaths of 35 people in a stampede.
1998: An estimated 180 people were trampled and killed during the hajj pilgrimage.
1994: About 270 people were killed in a stampede in Mina.
1990: Until 2015, the deadliest hajj stampede killed 1,426 people in a tunnel leading to Mecca.
