SAN SALVADOR – The remains of seven people have been found in a clandestine grave in the western province of Santa Ana, the Salvadoran Attorney General’s Office said.

The last skeleton was unearthed two weeks ago, but authorities continue to excavate the site in Colonia El Monge, 66 kilometers (41 miles) northeast of San Salvador, an AG’s office spokesman told Efe.

Excavations began after police received anonymous telephone tips about the presence of bodies at the site.

Medical examiners are still working to determine the sex and age of the victims, while police and prosecutors have begun an investigation into the murders, the spokesman said.

El Salvador recorded 1,043 homicides in the first quarter of 2012, which represents an average of 11.4 murders per day, but authorities say they have detected a “diminution” in the carnage since the country’s two most powerful gangs reached a truce.

The truce between the Mara Salvatrucha and Mara 18 outfits was announced March 20 by Catholic Bishop Fabio Colindres, who presented the agreement as the result of his efforts to mediate with jailed leaders of the rival gangs. EFE