A powerful earthquake has been felt in Mexico's capital, shaking buildings and sending people running into the street.

The magnitude 7.5 quake was centred in the western state of Guerrero, north of the beach resort of Acapulco and 165 miles south west of the capital, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The quake shook Mexico City for at least 30 seconds. There was no immediate word on damage or casualties.

Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel-Mancera said on Twitter that authorities were checking the sprawling capital for damage.

"For now we are only seeing evacuations" Mr. Mancera said.

Mexico City is vulnerable to earthquakes because much of it sits atop the muddy sediments of drained lake beds that quiver as quake waves hit.

The magnitude 8.1 quake in 1985 that killed at least 6,000 people and destroyed many buildings in Mexico City was centred 400 kilometers away on the Pacific Coast.