Caracas: Updated official figures released on Saturday indicate that the twin earthquakes in Venezuela have claimed nearly 3,000 lives, even as international search-and-rescue crews begin to conclude operations in the disaster zone.

The death toll rose by more than 300 from the previous day to reach 2,954, following the June 24 catastrophe that has left thousands of people displaced and living in makeshift camps.

While the government has refrained from issuing specific figures, the United Nations estimates that up to 50,000 individuals remain unaccounted for following the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude tremors.

The disaster, ranked among the worst in Latin American history, caused the most significant destruction in the coastal region of La Guaira, north of the capital, where numerous residential blocks were razed.

ALSO READ: Venezuela restores metro and rail links following earthquake

Ten days after the dual shocks, which occurred just 38 seconds apart, search teams are scaling back efforts to locate survivors, leaving families to continue the grim task of recovering victims from the ruins. Although the critical 72-hour window for rescues has long since passed, a few individuals have been located alive as recently as this week.

Signalling the transition from search to recovery, interim President Delcy Rodríguez held a ceremony on Saturday to honour international rescue teams and their search dogs with medals.

"Venezuela is experiencing a profound grief gripping our people, where families still hold out hope of finding loved ones alive, people who have lost everything," Rodríguez said.

Various international disaster response units, including teams from the United States and elsewhere in South America, confirmed on Saturday that they were finishing their deployments. The Los Angeles County fire department team is ceasing operations after recent searches failed to detect signs of life, with crews from Virginia and Florida also preparing to depart over the weekend.

ALSO READ: India launches ‘Operation Amistad’ to support earthquake-hit Venezuela

Public frustration has mounted among Venezuelans who criticise the government’s response as sluggish, noting that families were forced to undertake initial search efforts themselves before international assistance arrived. Rodríguez, however, defended the government’s actions, asserting that thousands of officials and military personnel had been mobilised.

In La Guaira, the landscape remains one of contrasting efforts: heavy machinery operators are beginning the demolition of unstable structures, while elsewhere, families continue to manually retrieve the deceased for burial.

"We're still working, still searching for bodies. We're still going. It hasn't been easy," said Venezuelan volunteer Francisco Sasquia, who is assisting in the clearance of a collapsed residence. "We found two bodies that have already been released to their families."

Economic Fallout

The United Nations projects that the physical damage from the earthquakes totals $6.7 billion, representing six per cent of the GDP for the oil-exporting nation. Venezuela was already grappling with decades of economic instability and political unrest that had severely degraded its healthcare system and public infrastructure.

Damage to the Maiquetia international airport, which serves Caracas, has necessitated a partial closure. While the facility is currently receiving humanitarian aid, commercial traffic remains suspended.

"We are in touch with some international partners, countries that will help in restoring the Maiquetia international airport," Rodríguez stated at a separate event. "A plan will be ready next week."

ALSO READ: Footballer Lucas Trejo Loses Wife and Children in Venezuela Earthquake

For some, the recovery is deeply personal. Víctor Colivert remains stationed by the side of his nephew’s body, which was pulled from the wreckage and placed in a body bag, fearing that the chaos could result in the loss of his remains. His family has resisted attempts by forensic teams to take the body for processing.

"If I have to go to China, to wherever, but I'm not leaving him alone," he said. "I'm going with him."

With inputs from AFP