People wearing masks gather outside buildings after an earthquake in Mexico City, captial of Mexico, on April 27, 2009. [Xinhua]

An earthquake registering 5.6 magnitude on the Richter scale hit southern Mexico on Monday at 11: 46 AM local time (1746 GMT), with an epicenter 23 kilometers northeast of Zumpango, a small town in the state of Guerrero, and with a deepness of 41.2 kilometers, the US Geological Survey ( USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program reported.

The quake was felt in Mexico City and the main cities of Guerrero to the south of the national capital.

Mexico City officials reported damage to two buildings in the city. Four other buildings are showing signs of cracks, which are under investigation. The city government is monitoring airports and public transport facilities across 16 boroughs, but has not seen signs of damage there.

No one has been reported hurt at present.

The USGS had earlier reported the quake as having a 6 magnitude. 

(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2009)