A powerful earthquake has hit Mexico City, shaking buildings for at least 30 seconds and causing widespread panic, according to BBC News.

The magnitude-7.2 quake was registered at a depth of 24km (15 miles), according to the US Geological Survey.

Its epicentre was in the western state of Guerrero, near the seaside resort of Acapulco There are no reports of casualties or significant damage, but frightened residents across the Mexican capital fled their homes as the tremor began.

The earthquake was felt in several southern and western Mexican states at 09:27 local time (14:27 GMT). Windows were broken and trees fell in Chilpancingo, capital of Guerrero.

In Acapulco, where many tourists were enjoying the Easter holiday, there were scenes of panic. "People were turning over chairs in their desperation to get out, grabbing children, trampling people,'' 59-year-old Enedina Ramirez Perez told the AP news agency.

Mexico lies on top of three continental plates and is regularly shaken by tremors.

In 1985, at least 10,000 people were killed in Mexico City by a magnitude-8.1 earthquake.