Quake Jars Mexico; Damage Is Light

MEXICO CITY — A powerful earthquake rocked Mexico City early Sunday, causing little damage but much panic as hundreds of residents awakened by the tremors rushed out into the streets.

The National Seismological Service said the quake, which occurred at 1:52 a.m., registered a magnitude of 6.8, while the UC Berkeley seismographic station said it had a preliminary reading of 6.5.

The seismological service reported four mild aftershocks, measuring between 4.0 and 4.3, during the night.

Mexican Red Cross spokesman Rogelio Tinoco told reporters that the relief organization had received no reports of damages or casualties.

“No buildings collapsed,” Tinoco said, refuting earlier unconfirmed reports that two structures had been damaged in the capital.

The quake’s epicenter was located 185 miles southeast of Mexico City and 90 miles east of the Pacific resort of Acapulco, said Waverly Person at the seismological service in Colorado.

Cesar Rosales at the Red Cross’ national disaster unit said it had received no reports of casualties or serious damage in Guerrero or in neighboring Oaxaca.