As quoted by Anadolu Agency, the powerful quake struck at 1.14 p.m. local time (1814GMT) 122 kilometers (76 miles) southeast of the capital at a depth of 51 km (32 miles), the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Local media reported collapsed buildings in Mexico City as well as severe damage in regions to the south.
Rescue operations initially focused on schools, where many students were believed to have been trapped, the English language Mexico News Daily website said.
The site reported that Cuauhtemoc, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Mexico City, was worst hit and said borough chief Ricardo Monreal had called for it be declared a disaster area.
Transport links were disrupted, with some lines on the city’s metro system not operating due to electrical shortages and the Mexico City-Acapulco highway was damaged.
Flights were suspended at Mexico City International Airport.
Images on social media showed buildings collapsing, swaying or shaking and a fire and explosion in the capital.
The deadly tremor came on the anniversary of a 1985 earthquake that left more than 10,000 dead and destroyed a large part of the city.
The latest quake occurred hours after an annual drill for the earthquake-prone city, sending residents pouring into the streets for a second time.
HA/PR
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