The South African rescue team in Iran is expected to leave Bam on Thursday, a team statement said on Wednesday.
The statement said the SA team, which arrived in quake-stricken Iran on Sunday, had been working together with the Norwegian team in the centre of the historic town Bam.
Bam was the town most damaged by the earthquake that occurred on Friday last week.
The latest figures from the Iranian government report 30 000 people dead, and this is expected to rise. A similar number of people have been injured, and are being taken to centres outside of Bam.
A Netcare spokesperson said the SA team had recovered some bodies, but no survivors.
It was likely that the search and rescue phase would be officially called off by the end of Wednesday and the recovery phase would start, said the team statement.
Fewer bodies were being found in the rubble and the bulldozers were gradually being brought in.
The team statement said there were 20 000 Iranian volunteer helpers on site, and 1 166 international search and rescue people, representing 48 nationalities. Twelve teams returned home Wednesday morning.
According to the UN, field hospitals would remain in the country for one year and would also be used as training facilities for doctors and other health professionals. No external Health NGO’s were needed but those inside the country would be allowed to stay.
An assessment by Unicef said the humanitarian focus was now rapidly changing to medium term needs such as more permanent housing.
The SA team is expected back in South Africa on Saturday evening. – Sapa