Mexico hit by major earthquake of magnitude 7.5

By Safvan Allahverdi

WASHINGTON

A major earthquake of magnitude 7.5 struck south of Mexico City, Mexico's capital on Friday, shaking buildings and causing panic.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake's epicenter was two kilometers southeast of Pinotepa in Oaxaca state. It had a depth of 43 kilometers.

Crowds of people gathered on central Reforma Avenue in Mexico City as the ground shook.

"Before returning to your homes, it is important to check if there are any damages, turn off gas lines and disconnect energy sources," the Mexico City Government said in its Twitter.

Mexico City's Civil Protection said no damage was reported.

Additional information was not immediately available.

Tectonic fault lines run along Mexico's Pacific coastline and earthquakes and tremors are common in the region

The deadliest earthquake of magnitude-8.1 in 1985 killed some 6,000 people and leveled many buildings in Mexico, as other magnitude 7.1 earthquake in central Mexico on Sept. 19 left 228 people dead in the capital and 369 across the region.