Magnitude 6.2 earthquake hits southern Mexico

PanARMENIAN.Net - A magnitude-6.2 earthquake hit off the coast of the southern Mexican state ofChiapas on Saturday, shaking the state from the capital of Tuxtla Gutierrez to Tapachula on the border with Guatemala. There were no immediate reports of injury or major damage, AP reported.

The quake, which hit at 12:47 p.m. local time (1:47 p.m. EST; 18:47 GMT), broke windows in Tuxtla Gutierrez and sent frightened residents into the streets in cities across Chiapas.

The temblor, which felt like waves in Tuxtla Gutierrez, caused a panic but came with no early reports of major damage or injuries, said Jose Manuel Aragon, spokesman for the state Civil Protection agency.

He said the quake was felt strongly in the state capital, in Tapachula and in Comitan.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter was in the Pacific Ocean about 35 miles (57 kilometers) southwest of the city of Mapastepec, on the coast near the border with Guatemala. It had a depth of 41 miles (66 kilometers.)