Since records began to be kept in the 1920s, 203 people have died on the mountain. Eleven of those fatalities came in 2006 alone. Most of their bodies still rest there, as it is extremely dangerous and nearly impossible to remove dead bodies from the mountain.

Fatal accidents on Everest are 80 % more likely on descent, despite it being less physically demanding.

The deadliest single climbing season on Everest was 1996, with 15 fatalities. May 10, 1996, was the deadliest day in Everest history, with eight people dying after being stranded near the summit in a storm.