Earthquake hits Mexico and shakes Los Angeles

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A strong 7.2 magnitude earthquake has struck Baja California in Mexico, rocking buildings and panicking residents as far away as Palm Springs and downtown Los Angeles.

The skyline of downtown Los Angeles, which has been rocked by the Mexican earthquake.

Mexican officials had no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

But witnesses north of the Mexican border said they had been left shocked by the effects of the earthquake.

"I'm shaking like a leaf ... the pool water was just going everywhere," said Jean Nelson in Indio, California, outside of Palm Springs.

A witness in Tijuana told reuters cars in a car park could be seen jolting with the quake.

The quake was felt for about 40 seconds in Tijuana, Mexico, causing buildings to sway and knocking out power in parts of the city. Families celebrating Easter ran out of their homes, with children screaming and crying.

Baja California state Civil Protection Director Alfredo Escobedo said there were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage. But he said the assessment was ongoing.

The quake was felt in downtown Los Angeles, witnesses said. It rattled buildings on the west side and in the San Fernando Valley.

Los Angeles fire department officials have gone on earthquake status and were last night inspecting buildings and overpasses for damage. According to some radio dispatches and local television elevators were stuck in some buildings, including the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.

"LAFD has all resources on radio watch and checking their district to ensure safety for all citizens," the department said.

"Firefighters from your 106 neighborhood fire stations are providing a complete survey of 470 square miles in the greater Los Angeles area and are examining transportation infrastructures, large places of assemblage (Dodger Stadium, universities) apartment buildings, power lines, etc, from the ground and the air to ensure safety."

The quake struck at 15:40 Pacific time, 16 miles south-west of Guadalupe Victoria at a depth of 20 miles. The quake was 108 miles south-east of Tijuana.

Multiple aftershocks were reported.

Mike Wong, who works at a journalism school in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, said he was in his second-floor office getting some work done when he heard sounds and felt the building start to sway.

"I heard some cracking sounds, like Rice Crispies," he said. "I didn't think much of it, but I kept hearing it, and then I started feeling a shake. I thought, 'You know what? I think that might be an earthquake."