Earthquake hits Mexico but no casualties

By Julio Martinez

PUEBLA, Mexico (Reuters) - A moderate 5.7 magnitude earthquake rocked central Mexico on Friday, shaking buildings in the colonial city of Puebla and the capital Mexico City, but there were no reports of casualties or major damage.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake, the second medium-sized tremor to strike Mexico in the last few weeks, hit 35 miles (60 km) south of Puebla at a depth of 60.5 miles (97 km).

"It felt long and intense," said a spokesman at the Volkswagen plant in Puebla, where 3,000 workers were evacuated from the assembly line. Children were also evacuated from nearly schools.

The magnitude 5.7 quake was strong enough to send office workers and residents fleeing onto the streets in the capital and knock things off shelves and desks.

"My desk jumped and all the photos on it were knocked off. The walls shook. I ran out with my friends," said Guadalupe Rojas, who works in an 11th floor law office.

There were no reports of serious injuries or damage to buildings in the state of Puebla, known for its old colonial churches, the state's head of emergency services Miguel Angel Martinez told Reuters.

Helicopters flying over Mexico City, 85 miles (140 km) from the epicentre, also spotted no serious damage to buildings, although residents reported power cuts and stuck elevators.

"We have not identified any major damage," said Mexico City's mayor, Marcelo Ebrard.