“There was a 6.8 earthquake. It is still not known exactly, but it is around that,” he said before official measurements were released.

“There is no serious impact on maritime matters, only some beaches are expected to rise by up to half a meter, the water level due to the tsunami effect from the earthquake,” Ángeles added.

Mexico's National Seismological Service later reported that the earthquake measured magnitude 7.4 and was centred about 135 kilometres southwest of Ciudad Hidalgo, Chiapas.

Several strong aftershocks followed, including earthquakes measuring magnitudes 6.5 and 6.3.

President Claudia Sheinbaum said she had spoken with authorities in Chiapas and ordered emergency response protocols to be activated.

She added that no damage had been reported at the time of her remarks.

Mexico lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world's most seismically active regions, where earthquakes and volcanic activity are frequent due to the movement of tectonic plates.