Moderate earthquake rattles Mexico

updated 9:25 p.m. ET April 27, 2008

MEXICO CITY - A moderate earthquake rattled Mexico on Sunday, but no major injuries or damage were reported.

The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.8 and was centered 96 miles north of Acapulco, the U.S. Geological Center said. Mexico's National Seismological Service released a preliminary magnitude of 5.6.

Sunday's quake caused office buildings to sway and sent many frightened residents into the streets of the capital, Mexico City.

"Yes, it scared us," said Julio Lara, 38, a parking attendant in downtown Mexico City. "It was strong."

The Mexico City Public Safety Department said there were no reports of injuries or damage.

"There were just some panicked phone calls from people who had rushed out of their homes and offices during the earthquake," the department said in a statement.

Helicopters immediately clattered overhead searching for damage and Red Cross ambulances were patrolling the city but had not reported any injuries, Red Cross dispatcher Martin Gonzalez said.

Mexico City residents like Lara still remember a magnitude-8.1 earthquake that hit the city in 1985, killing at least 9,500 people and flattening buildings.

"We're just waiting for an earthquake that strong to hit again," he said.

More from msnbc.com Watching America Vote: For Cubans, it's the embargo  Hard times are good times at the pawnshop  Turning Points 1980: America's shift to the right In dark times, Reagan ran on optimism Gut Check: Is financial crisis affecting your job?

MORE FROM AMERICAS

Americas Section Front

Americans stay away from bloody Juarez U.S. issues travel advisory for Mexico U.S. islands brace for Hurricane Omar For Cubans, U.S. election issue is the embargo Canada's Conservative party wins re-election Marine fights extradition over murder Daily Nightly: Little happiness in Haiti Americas Section Front   Add Americas headlines to your news reader: