21 March 2012 Last updated at 12:30

In pictures: Mexico earthquake

Woman reacts in front of an evacuated hospital in Mexico City following the earthquake on 20 March 2012

Parts of central and southern Mexico have been rocked by a major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4.

The quake - which lasted for more than a minute - was felt strongly in the capital Mexico City and brought people out on to the streets to escape shaking buildings.

Child cries as she and her classmates are evacuated from their school in the Roma neighbourhood of Mexico City following the earthquake on 20 March 2012

Several aftershocks caused widespread fear and panic.

Workers and residents gather in Reforma Avenue in Mexico City after the quake on 20 March 2012

Mobile phone networks in the city were affected in the earthquake and people were having trouble contacting their friends and relatives.

Earthquake damage in Mexico City on 20 March 2012

Some 800 houses were reported to have been damaged in the south-west state of Guerrero - the epicentre of the quake - and schools and public buildings were being inspected for cracks.

Firefighters work to remove a bus damaged by a bridge that collapsed following the earthquake in Mexico City on 20 March 2012

Part of a pedestrian bridge collapsed in Mexico City, crushing a minibus.

Members of the Mexican Red Cross were on hand to help people. The authorities said 11 people were injured, but no deaths have been reported.

Workers in Mexico City mend underground railway lines damaged after an earthquake the earthquake on 20 March 2012

The mayor of Mexico City, Marcelo Ebrard, said the quake had affected rails on some lines of the city's metro system.

Latin America & Caribbean

In pictures: Mexico earthquake

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