While it may be an easier summit than Everest, Manaslu has its own challenges for climbers to face, including avalanches and falling. A total of 89 people died on Manaslu, with a disproportionately high number from avalanches.

There were two severe avalanches on Manaslu that killed many people. On April 10, 1972, an avalanche raced down the mountain killing 15 people, 10 of which were sherpas. 40 years later on September 23, 2012, a serac around 600 meters across broke off the glacier face, and followed the path through the serac field A. This caused an avalanche that killed 11 people.

Another 20 people died from falling, 12 people are presumed to have disappeared, and on May 10, 1991, one person died from a lightning strike.