noun
death toll; number of deaths; body count
Neutral term for the number of people who died in an accident, disaster, war, etc. Used in news and official contexts.
地震による死者数は100人を超えた。
The death toll from the earthquake exceeded 100.
事故の死者数はまだ確認中です。
The number of deaths in the accident is still being confirmed.
Emphasizes victims or casualties, often with a nuance of sacrifice. 死者数 is a neutral count of deaths.
Compound of 死者 (dead person) + 数 (number).