A strong, long 7.6 earthquake with an epicentre in Guerrero state shook central southern Mexico today, swaying buildings in Mexico City and sending frightened workers and residents into the streets.

The US Geological Survey set the intensity at 7.6 and said the epicentre was 11 miles underground. Mexico's National Seismological Survey said the quake had an epicentre south-west of Ometepec and was felt strongly in Oaxaca.

Mexico City mayor Marcelo Ebrard's Twitter account said the water system and other "strategic services" were not experiencing problems.

"I have problems with pressure, I felt I was going to faint," said Rosa Maria Lopez Velazquez, 62, outside a shopping centre in Mexico City.

There were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries. Telephone service was down in the city and throughout the area where the quake was felt.

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