The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela has climbed to almost 3,000, as rescue teams from around the world begin ending search-and-rescue operations more than a week after the disaster.

Official figures released on Saturday put the number of confirmed deaths at 2,954, an increase of more than 300 from the previous day. Authorities also said tens of thousands of people remain unaccounted for following the June 24 earthquakes.

The two powerful tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, caused widespread destruction across the country, with the coastal state of La Guaira suffering the worst damage. Numerous residential buildings collapsed, leaving thousands of families without homes.

With 10 days having passed since the earthquakes, emergency responders are gradually shifting from rescue efforts to recovery operations. Although a handful of survivors have been pulled from the rubble in recent days, experts say the chances of finding more people alive decrease significantly after the first 72 hours.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez on Saturday honoured international rescue teams and their search dogs during a ceremony recognising their efforts. She described the disaster as a national tragedy, saying many families were still hoping for news of missing relatives while others had lost everything.

Several international teams, including rescue personnel from the United States and South America, confirmed they were preparing to conclude their missions after extensive searches found no further signs of life.

Despite the ongoing relief efforts, many residents have criticised the government’s initial response, claiming they were forced to search through collapsed buildings themselves before outside assistance arrived. Rodriguez has rejected those accusations, insisting that thousands of security personnel and emergency workers were deployed soon after the earthquakes.

In heavily damaged communities such as La Guaira, heavy machinery has begun clearing unsafe structures, while some families continue searching for the bodies of loved ones to give them proper burials.

Volunteer rescuer Francisco Sasquia said recovery work remained difficult but continued every day. He explained that several bodies had recently been recovered and returned to their families.

The disaster has displaced more than 16,000 people, with many now living in temporary shelters. Health officials have also raised concerns over overcrowded hospitals and the growing risk of disease outbreaks.

Among those waiting for closure is Victor Colivert, who has remained beside the body of his nephew after it was recovered from the wreckage. Fearing it could be lost amid the confusion, he vowed not to leave until his relative is laid to rest.

The earthquakes are among the deadliest natural disasters to hit Latin America in recent years, leaving Venezuela facing a massive humanitarian and rebuilding challenge.