45,000 missing people in Colombia may be buried in mass graves

BOGOTA, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The Colombian General Prosecutor's Office said it is investigating the disappearance of 45,154 people who may be buried in mass graves.

Officials said Monday that 4,189 graves with 5,390 bodies have been found since May 2006.

The discoveries came after the demobilization of the paramilitary group AUC, which is allegedly responsible for most of the disappearances, Colombia Reports said.

Authorities have identified 2,483 of the remains, and 2,338 bodies have been delivered to the victims' families.

Former AUC members have informed authorities of 1,025 graves.