A strong earthquake rattled the Mexican capital on Thursday and buildings shook but there were no immediate reports of damage.

The U.S. Geological Service reported the earthquake had a magnitude of 5.8 and that its epicenter was in the southwestern state of Guerrero.

"I felt it strong, my lamp was swinging as well as the plants. The table where I was also shook a bit," said Alejandra Cadavid, a Colombian executive living in an apartment building in Mexico City.

Some helicopters were flying over the city, checking for damage, a Reuters witness said.

Mexico City's mayor, Marcelo Ebrard, said public transportation was working normally and that there were no early signs of major problems.

"From a revision of cameras, helicopters and patrols, we have no reports of damage," he said through his Twitter account.

Reuters