WASHINGTON

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico on Friday, according to the US Geological Survey.

The quake hit near the Pacific coast in Guerrero state at a depth of about 35 kilometers (22 miles) at 8.58 am local time (1458GMT).

The strong tremor cut short President Claudia Sheinbaum’s first news conference of the year as seismic alarms sounded.

Local media have reported power outages in several parts of the capital Mexico City, while police helicopters have been patrolling the metropolis' downtown area.

No damage has been reported as of 11.20 am.

The earthquake was also felt in the regions of Tres Valles, Cordoba, Los Tuxtlas, Xalapa, Orizal, Huatusco, and Coatzacoalcos.