Mount Everest Deaths Statistics by Year (1922-2019)

Scaling Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world at an elevation of 8,848 meters, is the ultimate accomplishment for any mountaineer. Hundreds of aspirants from around the world attempt to conquer the mountain every year. Unfortunately, not all of them succeed, owing to the treacherous weather conditions and high altitude.

These adversities make climbing Mount Everest one of the biggest feats possible for a human. The ascent puts your physical and psychological capabilities to the test, and the climb is not an easy task by any means. A single mistake can take your life while attempting to get to the top of the world.

People started trying to get to the top of Everest since 1922. While some have successfully achieved the feat, many of them have ended their lives during the attempt.

Around 300+ climbers have met with their end on Mount Everest till now. The fatality stat provided is the total death count from 1922 to May 2019.

Below is a more comprehensive statistic on Mount Everest deaths.

Year-by-Year Death Toll On Mount Everest

1922

The year 1922 marked the first mountaineering expedition which aimed at making the first ascent of Mount Everest. The expedition was called the British Mount Everest Expedition. Sadly, 7 Nepali climbers lost their lives during the attempt.

(Source: Life and Death on Mt. Everest: Sherpas and Himalayan Mountaineering (2001 ed.))

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm)

1924

Two years later was the second British Mount Everest with the goal of achieving the first ascent of Mount Everest. This time too, 4 climbers, 2 each from Nepal and Britain faced tragic death on their way to the summit.

(Source: Unsworth, Walt (2000). Everest: the mountaineering history (2000 ed.))

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm)

1934

One British mountaineer died in the year 1934 while attempting a solo expedition. Marice Wilson, the ill-fated aviator attempted to climb Mount Everest to promote his belief that the world’s problem could be solved by a combination of fasting and faith in God.

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm)

(Source: Unsworth, Walt (2000). Everest: the mountaineering history (2000 ed.))

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

1952

A Nepali climber named Dorje Mingma lost his life on Mount Everest during a Swiss Expedition in 1952. The cause of death was reported as falling ice.

(Source: Unsworth, Walt (2000). Everest: the mountaineering history (2000 ed.))

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm)

1960

In the year 1960, 2 Chinese climbers faced tragic death during the Chinese Mount Everest Expedition. The expedition was the first to successfully ascent Mount Everest via the North Ridge.

(Source: http://www.everestnews2004.com/malloryandirvine2004/deathsnorthside.htm)

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm)

1962

One Nepali climber lost his life on Mount Everest in the year 1962. He breathed his last in the Lhotse Face.

(Source: Kohli, M.S. (2000). Nine Atop Everest: Spectacular Indian Ascent (2000 ed.))

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm)

1963

During the year 1963, the United States’ citizen, Jake Breitenbach died being crushed under a serac. Jake was part of the Norman Dyhrenfurth’s American Mount Everest Expedition.

(Source: Hornbein, Thomas F. (1998). Everest: the west ridge (1998 ed.))

(Source: Fisher, James F. (1990). Sherpas: reflections on change in Himalayan Nepal (1990 ed.))

(Source: Potterfield, Peter; Hornbein, Tom (2003). Everest: Volume 4 of The Mountaineers anthology series(2003 ed.))

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm)

1966

The year 1966 saw the death of one Chinese mountaineer. The deceased climber, Ma Gao-Shu was part of a Chinese Everest Expedition.

(Source: http://www.everestnews2004.com/malloryandirvine2004/deathsnorthside.htm)

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm)

1969

Nepali mountain climber Phu Dorje met with his death by falling into a crevasse in the year 1969. He was a part of the Japanese Everest Expedition.

(Source: Unsworth, Walt (2000). Everest: the mountaineering history (2000 ed.))

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1970

The year 1970 saw 7 unfortunate fatalities. Among the deceased climbers of the Japanese Skiing Expedition, 6 were Nepali while one belonged to Japan.

(Source: Unsworth, Walt (2000). Everest: the mountaineering history (2000 ed.))

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1971

In 1971, a leading mountaineer of India, Harsh Vardhan lost his life on Mount Everest after being suspended above a crevasse during a blizzard. Harsh, who was military personnel, was a part of the International Expedition of 1971.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1972

An Australian citizen, Tony Tighe met with his death while mountaineering on Everest. He was crushed under a block of glacial ice.

(Source: http://english.cri.cn/6966/2009/07/03/1361s498617.htm)

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1973

In the year 1973, a Nepali climber Jangbu lost his life on Mount Everest.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1974

A total of 6 mountain climbers lost their lives on Mount Everest in the year 1974. Among the dead, 5 were Nepali citizens while one was a French national. The group was a part of the French West Ridge Direct Expedition.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1975

A Chinese mountaineer lost his life on Mount Everest in the year 1975. Another English climber, who was part of the Bonongton’s 1975 Everest Expedition, met with his demise in the month of September.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1976

The year 1976 saw the demise of one English climber, who was a part of the British-Nepal Army Everest Expedition.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1978

In the year 1978, 2 mountaineers lost their lives while climbing Mount Everest. One of the deceased was a Nepali citizen while the other one was from China.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1979

A total of 6 mountaineers died on Mount Everest during the year 1979. Among the dead, 3 were from China while one-each were from Nepal, West Germany, and the United States.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1980

In the year 1980, 3 mountaineers lost their lives in the quest of conquering Mount Everest. Among the deceased, one Nepali and an Italian climber belonged to the Italian Expedition. Meanwhile, the other victim was from Japan and was part of the Japanese Alpine Society Expedition.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1981

A Japanese climber of the Japanese Winter Expedition, Noboru Takenaka lost his life on Mount Everest in the year 1981.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1982

The count of Mount Everest bodies reached 11 in the year 1982. Among the dead, 5 were Nepali citizens. Besides, 2 belonged to Japan and the other 2 were from the United Kingdom. Additionally, one American and one Canadian native died on Mount Everest.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1983

During the 1983 climbing season, one Nepali and 2 Japanese climbers lost their lives while trying to conquer the highest peak in the world. All the deceased were part of the Japanese Expedition.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1984

The death toll of Everest climbers reached 8 in the climbing season of 1984. Three Nepalis and 2 Australian mountaineers lost their precious lives. Also, one each from Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, and the United Kingdom were among the dead.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1985

The year 1985 saw 7 demises while trying to conquer Mount Everest. Among the casualties, 5 were from India. They were all part of the Indian Expedition. Besides, one Spanish and one Japanese climber met with a tragic end during their Everest expedition.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1986

In the year 1986, 4 mountaineers met with their end on Mount Everest. Among them, 2 were Nepalis while the other 2 belonged to Chile and Switzerland.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1987

The Everest death toll in 1987 reached 4. Among the deceased, 2 were Nepalis, one was from Japan and the other belonged to Canada.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1988

Four Nepalis and 4 Czechoslovakian citizens lost their lives while climbing Mount Everest in the year 1988. In addition, 2 more citizens belonging to Japan and France breathed their last on Everest, taking the death toll to 10.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1989

In the year 1989, 8 mountain climbers lost their lives on Mount Everest. Among the deceased, 5 belonged to Poland. Meanwhile, 2 of them were Nepali citizens whereas one was from Yugoslavia.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1990

The count of Everest fatalities in 1990 reached 4. Amidst the deceased, 2 were Nepali nationals. Additionally, one was a Spanish citizen while the other was part of the Japanese Korean Expedition, who belonged to South Korea.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1991

In the year 1991, 2 mountaineers, each belonging to Germany and Japan, lost their lives on Mount Everest.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1992

The Everest death toll in 1992 reached 5. Three of those dead were Indians. Aside from that, one belonged to Nepal and another was from Japan.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1993

In the quest of climbing Mount Everest, 8 people lost their lives in the year 1993. The dead included 4 Nepalis including Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to scale Everest, and 2 South Korean climbers. Besides, one belonged to the United States and the eighth dead body was of a Spanish native.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1994

The year 1994 saw 5 mountaineers meet an untimely death at the highest peak in the world. Among them, 2 belonged to Nepal. Additionally, the remaining fatalities included one-each from Taiwan, Italy, and Australia.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1995

Three Nepali citizens met their final destination on Mount Everest during the climbing season of 1995. Amidst the fatalities, 2 were part of the South Korean Expedition while the remaining one was part of the American Expedition.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1996

The year 1996 is considered the darkest time in Mount Everest history. During this time, 15 of the climbers faced an untimely death en route to the highest peak in the world. Among the casualties, 3-each belonged to Nepal and India. Besides, 2-each were from the United States and New Zealand. Apart from that, Japan, France, Austria, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom lost one citizen each.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1997

During the 1997 Mount Everest expedition, 3 Russian and 2 English climbers faced an untimely death. Apart from that, 2 more mountaineers who belonged to Nepal met a sad end at the top of the world. Moreover, one South Korean and one German climber lost their life taking the death count to 9.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1998

Two of the American natives carrying out the Russian/French Expedition lost their lives on Mount Everest during the year 1998. Besides, the death of one English and one New Zealand native took the total death toll to 4.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

1999

The year 1999 saw 4 fatalities of climbers belonging to 4 different countries. The casualties were from Ukraine, Poland, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

2000

One climber from Denmark and China each died on Mount Everest in the year 2000.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

2001

The Everest death toll in 2001 reached 5. The deceased belonged to five different countries namely Nepal, Austria, Australia, Russia, and Hungary.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

2002

During the year 2002, 3 mountain climbers sacrificed their lives on Mount Everest. Among the deceased, one each belonged to France, Yugoslavia, and the United Kingdom.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

2003

Among the 4 fatalities of the 2003 Mount Everest expedition, 2 were of Nepali nationality. The rest 2 of the dead belonged to European countries France and Poland.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

2004

Three members of the South Korean Expedition lost their lives in quest of conquering Mount Everest in 2004. Similarly, 2 Bulgarian citizens and one climber from Japan and the United States each faced an untimely death taking the fatality count to 7.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

(Source: http://www.everesthistory.com/everestsummits/summitsbyyear.htm )

2005

The year 2005 recorded the total Mount Everest fatality of 6, one climber each from Canada, the United States, Slovenia, India, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

(Source: http://www.everestnews.com/stories2005/deathsoneverest2005u06092005.htm)

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

2006

A total of 11 bodies was found on Mount Everest in the year 2006. Among the deceased, 4 were from Nepal. The other dead were from France, India, Sweden, Brazil, Russia, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

(Source:http://www.greatoutdoors.com/published/dispatch-20-dave-hahn-on-the-tragic-death-of-ang-phinjo-sherpa)

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

2007

Two climbers, each from Japan and South Korea lost their lives on Mount Everest. Besides, one mountaineer from Nepal, Italy, and the Czech Republic each faced untimely death, taking the total fatality count to 7.

(Source: http://www.adventurestats.com/tables/everestfatilities.shtml)

2008

A Swiss native, Uwe Gianni Goltz faced a tragic death due to exhaustion in the year 2008. Uwe was part of the Sherpas documentary team.

(Source: http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/sherpas-find-body-of-swiss-killed-on-everest/8863530)

2009

The year 2009 recorded a fatality count of 4. The climbers from Nepal, China, Canada, and the Czech Republic lost their lives on Mount Everest.

(Source: http://giladstern.co.za/Everest%202009%20Report.htm)

2010

The 4 Everest fatalities in 2010 included Hungarian, Japanese, Danish, and English citizens.

(Source: http://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2010/06/03/everest-2010-season-recap-2/)

2011

In the year 2011, 5 climbers lost their lives on Mount Everest. Among the fatalities, 2 of them were from Japan. Besides, one mountaineer each from Nepal, Ireland, and the United States each faced a tragic death in the summit.

(Source:https://nationalpost.com/news/world/american-doctor-and-two-other-climbers-die-on-mount-everest-officials)

2012

During the 2012 Everest climbing season, 11 climbers including 3 Nepali and 2 German natives met their final destination. The remaining casualties were from India, Canada, South Korea, China, Cambodia, and Spain.

(Source:http://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2012/05/22/everest-2012-north-side-deaths-bring-total-to-11/)

2013

Five among 9 dead in the 2013 Mount Everest expedition were Nepalis. Additionally, 2 fatalities were from Russia and the others from South Korea and Bangladesh.

(Source: http://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2013/06/03/everest-2013-season-recap/)

2014

One of the most tragic deaths on Mount Everest was recorded in the year 2014. 16 Nepali climbers lost their lives to an avalanche. Besides, another Nepali mountaineer lost his life to High-altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE).

(Source:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/24/final-moments-of-tragic-mount-everest-team-climb-revealed/)

2015

A devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal in April 2015. The natural calamity triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest taking the death toll to 22. Among the deceased, 11 belonged to Nepal while 4 were American natives. Besides, one climber from India, Australia, China, Vietnam, and Japan each lost their lives.

(Source: http://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2015/04/27/everest-2015-ebc-death-update/ )

2016

In the year 2016, 7 of the mountain climbers faced untimely death on Mount Everest. Among the deceased were 3 Indians, one Australian, one Dutch, one Canadian, and one Nepali citizen.

(Source: http://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2016/05/31/everest-2016-normal-season/)

2017

The Everest death toll in 2017 reached 5. One climber each from Nepal, Australia, Slovakia, India, and the United States lost their lives.

(Source: https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/american-climber-dies-on-mt-everest/)

(Source: https://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2017/05/21/everest-2017-death-summits-thefts/)

2018

In 2018, five mountaineers died while trying to conquer the highest peak. The recovered dead bodies were of 3 Nepali natives, one Macedonian and one Japanese citizen.

(Source: http://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2017/12/17/everest-by-the-numbers-2018-edition/)

2019

As per the statistics obtained in May 2019, 12 people have already lost their lives on Mount Everest. The first found body was of a solo hiker from the United States. Besides, 4 Indian climbers breathed their last on Everest. Additionally, 2 mountaineers from Ireland and one climber each from Nepal, Austria, and the United Kingdom lost their lives. In the meantime, another US citizen lost his life to altitude sickness. The last found body was of an American climber Christopher John Kulish, who was found dead on 27 May 2019.

(Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48407433)

Mount Everest Death Statistics Table By Nationality

Major Cause Of Death

Avalanche and falling are the major cause of death on Mount Everest. As per the stats, around 68 climbers have met with their demise due to Avalanche on the highest peak. Besides, the death toll from falling stays at around 67.

The most unusual death of Mount Everest has been that of the U.S. astronaut, Karl Gordon Henize. Karl was on a mission to study radiation but unfortunately lost his life to severe High-altitude Pulmonary Edema on 5 October 1993.

In Conclusion

It has almost been a century since the mountain climbers started their mission to conquer the highest peak in the world. While some have successfully achieved this feat, many of them have died trying to pursue their dream.

You can find contradicting stats from different sources if you look for the actual Mount Everest death statistics. It is because more bodies, which are nearly a century old, are still being recovered in the present time.