Strong quake hits southwest Mexico

A strong earthquake jolted southwest Mexico on Thursday noon and shook the capital of Mexico City, rattling buildings and prompting offices to be evacuated.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale jolted 15 kilometers north of Tecpan de Galeana, about 277 kilometers southwest of Mexico City. The USGS downgraded the magnitude from 6.8.

The temblor in the southern Guerrero state had a depth of 23.95 km and was initially determined to be at 17.3847 degrees north latitude and 100.6563 degrees west longitude, according to the USGS update.

Meanwhile, the Mexican National Seismological Service put the quake at 6.6 degrees with the epicenter at 17.11 degrees north latitude and 100.87 degrees west longitude.

There were no reports of victims or material damage.

In Mexico City, Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said strategic areas of the city were functioning normally, and airport officials said operations were unaffected after runways and other facilities were assessed for signs of damage.

The quake, the second strong temblor in less than a month, sent residents fleeing into the streets. Crowds were seen gathering outside homes and office buildings.

The seismic movement briefly knocked out electricity and cellphone service in parts of the city. A subway commuter said lights flickered off for an instant at her station, but passengers seemed unaware that a quake had taken place.

In Guerrero, Governor Angel Aguirre said security systems were activated, but there were no reports of damage so far.

The quake was also felt in the nearby central states of Puebla and Morelos, southern state of Oaxaca (south) and Veracruz state on the Gulf coast.

On April 18, a powerful 7.2-magnitude quake shook south and central Mexico, generating panic, knocking down walls and causing severe cracks in several buildings, but no serious damage was reported.