Aim To identify risk factors for early death in diabetes patients who undergo amputations below the ankle. Methods A retrospective study, where all hospital records of all diabetes patients who had undergone minimum one amputation below the ankle at the CWHC Bispebjerg Hospital, Denmark, in the period 1996-2013, were examined. The amputations were mainly trans-metatarsal amputations and partial amputations of toes. The participants were found via ICD10-codes. The included patients were followed from their first contact to the last registered contact. The statistical analysis in this article is performed on patients with a of minimum 5-year follow-up. Results The 5 year mortality was 42% for patients with type 2 diabetes, and 29% for patients with type 1 diabetes. For patients with type 2 diabetes, multivariable analysis showed that high age, peripheral arterial insufficiency and short time from first admission to amputation were independently statistically significantly associated with increased 5-years mortality. Use of statins was associated with decreased mortality. 35% died as a result of their diabetes, mostly due to cardiovascular causes. Conclusion Short time from first admission to amputation is a risk factor for early death. Arterial insufficiency and high age is also associated with increased mortality, whereas use of statin is associated with decreased mortality, in patients with type 2 diabetes.