New Delhi, July 17 -- A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico on Friday, shaking parts of Central America and briefly triggering a tsunami warning along sections of the Pacific coast. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of deaths or serious damage, although the quake caused panic in several cities and prompted evacuations.

The earthquake was felt across the Mexican states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, as well as in Guatemala and El Salvador, according to AFP journalists on the ground.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake's epicenter was located about 48 kilometers (30 miles) offshore from Aquiles Serdan in the state of Chiapas.

The quake struck at a depth of 18 kilometers (11 miles), making it re...