Magnitude-6.2 earthquake strikes Mexico

MEXICO CITY

The National Seismological Service registered an earthquake early Thursday in the state of Veracruz in southeast Mexico.

The quake activated a seismic alert in the nation’s capital in Mexico City, which prompted evacuations at multiple buildings in the city's main commercial avenues.

At the National Palace, where President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador holds daily news conferences, journalists and the Mexican leader were evacuated after the alarm was sounded.

"I spoke by phone with the governor of Oaxaca and with the governor of Veracruz, and so far, they have no information on major damage. However, all the information is being sought. The report here in the city is that there was no serious damage, not much was felt, at least here in the center," said Lopez Obrador.

Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said on Twitter that there has not been any major damage or injuries reported.

Mexico City has been particularly affected by earthquakes with residents often having to undergo earthquake drills mandated by the government.

A 2017 tremor left 396 dead and more than 7,000 injured.

In 1985, the city suffered the worst quake to date when a tremor of magnitude-8.1 shook the country, leaving 40,000 dead, according to the National Seismological Service.