The death toll from Venezuela’s devastating twin earthquakes has risen to 2,954, according to the latest official figures released on Saturday.
Authorities said more than 300 additional deaths were recorded since Friday, while the number of injured has now exceeded 16,000.
DDM reported that the powerful 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes, which struck on June 24, rank among the deadliest natural disasters in Latin America in recent years.
More than 16,000 people have been left homeless after about 190 buildings collapsed, most of them in the coastal state of La Guaira, north of Caracas.
Ten days after the disaster, rescue operations are winding down as hopes of finding more survivors continue to fade.
Although the critical 72-hour rescue window ended days ago, emergency workers managed to pull a handful of survivors from the rubble earlier this week.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez honoured international rescue teams and their search dogs during a ceremony marking the end of major search efforts.
Specialist rescue crews from Los Angeles County, Florida and Virginia are expected to leave Venezuela this weekend after completing their final searches.
Many residents have criticised the government’s response, saying families were forced to dig through collapsed buildings with their bare hands before international rescue teams arrived.
While officials insist thousands of soldiers, volunteers and heavy equipment were deployed, local crews continue clearing debris and recovering victims for burial.
Hospitals overwhelmed by the influx of injured victims are also battling growing concerns over possible disease outbreaks, as thousands of displaced people remain in temporary shelters and open spaces.
