Moderate Quake in Mexico Causes Panic, but No Injuries Are Reported

A moderately strong earthquake rocked central and southern Mexico late Tuesday, but authorities said they had no reports of damage or injuries. The quake caused some panic in the Mexican capital.

The earthquake started at 11:28 p.m. The National Seismological Observatory reported an intensity of 5.9 and said the epicenter was off the Pacific coast of southern Guerrero state.

High-rise buildings could be seen swaying along Paseo de la Reforma, the capital’s main east-west thoroughfare. People rushed out into the street, stayed out a few minutes but later went back inside.

The Red Cross, the Fire Department and other rescue agencies said they had no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

At least six police helicopters took off immediately and cruised over the capital to check for damaged buildings, but police headquarters said they found nothing.

In Toluca, the capital of the neighboring state of Mexico, power and telephone service went out in several neighborhoods momentarily, TV Azteca reported.

TV Azteca said the earthquake measured 5.9 and was centered between Atoyac de Alvarez and Zihuatanejo on the Pacific coast of Guerrero.

“There is no emergency situation,” TV Azteca said.