A powerful earthquake jolted Mexico City on the anniversary of a 1985 quake that killed thousands

USGS

Location of the earthquake that hit Mexico City on Tuesday, September 19.

MEXICO CITY (AP) - A powerful earthquake jolted Mexico City on Tuesday, causing buildings to sway sickeningly on the anniversary of a 1985 quake that did major damage to the capital.

The extent of damage or injuries was not immediately clear, but people fled office buildings along the central Reforma Avenue.

Mexico's seismological agency calculated its preliminary magnitude at 6.8 and said its center was east of the city in the state of Puebla.

Pictures fell from walls and objects were shaken off of flat surfaces. Some people dove for cover under desks.

Earlier in the day buildings across the city held preparation drills on the anniversary of the 1985 quake.

The head of Mexico's civil protection agency Luis Felipe Puente said on Twitter that there wasn't reported damage right after the quake. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto is flying back to Mexico city to survey the damage, and has activated an emergency plan to survey the damage.