Earthquake shakes Mexico

An earthquake rattled Mexico City yesterday with a force that sent people fleeing onto the streets in panic and revived memories of a devastating 1985 temblor.

No casualties or major damage were reported after the 9:30 a.m. quake.

"It was very short but it felt really strong," said 74-year-old Juana Ruiz in the city's Spanish colonial centre, which was devastated by the earthquake 21 years ago that killed at least 12,000 people.

The 5.9-magnitude quake was centred in the western state of Michoacan, about 204 km southwest of the Mexican capital of 20 million people, according to the US National Earthquake Information Centre. Two big aftershocks followed.

"For the moment, there are no reports of emergencies. Only panic attacks. It's minimal. No buildings fell," said a spokesman for Mexico City emergency services.

An official in Michoacan also reported no major damage.

Mexican authorities said the epicenter was near the town of Huetamo, on the border of Michoacan and Guerrero states.

The quake rattled leftist protesters who had blocked access to Mexico's main tax office downtown but they pressed on with a demonstration to highlight what they say was fraud at the July 2 presidential election.