Is it true that the news that yesterday there was an earthquake in Mexico

A massive magnitude-8.1 earthquake has hit off Mexico's southern coast, toppling houses in Chiapas state, causing at least five deaths and setting off a tsunami warning, officials said.

The quake was so strong that it caused buildings to sway violently in Mexico's capital more than 1,000 kilometres away.

Residents fled buildings, many in their pyjamas, and gathered in frightened groups in the street. Some neighbourhoods remained in darkness after electricity was knocked out.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake struck at 11:49pm on Thursday local time and its epicentre was 165 kilometres west of Tapachula in Chiapas, not far from Guatemala. It had a depth of 69.7 kilometres.

Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto said the earthquake measured at 8.2, despite the USGS's official line, making it "the biggest magnitude to be recorded in our country in at least the last 100 years".

Mr Nieto said 1 million people were initially without power, though electricity had since been restored to 800,000 of them.

The US Tsunami Warning System said hazardous tsunami waves were possible on the Pacific coasts of several Central American countries, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama and Honduras, within three hours.

A tsunami was also confirmed for Mexico, with the largest wave measuring one metre, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.