MEXICO CITY  — A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck off the southwestern coast of Mexico on Friday morning, but authorities said the region escaped any serious damage.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake occurred at 8:48 a.m. local time, with an epicenter in the Pacific Ocean about 30 miles southwest of the city of Huixtla, in Chiapas state, near the border with Guatemala.

The quake had a depth of a 9.2 miles, the survey said. It could be felt in Mexico City, more than 600 miles away.

Reports in Chiapas indicated a series of aftershocks as panicked residents left their homes as a precaution. By Friday afternoon, there had been more than 60 aftershocks.

Video on social media from the southern state showed people gathering on the streets amid a sense of uncertainty.

Authorities in Chiapas suspended official activities and activated an alert for a potential tsunami.

The quake came one month after twin earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 devastated Venezuela, leaving thousands dead and missing.

Special correspondent Cecilia Sánchez Vidal contributed.