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Strong earthquake hits Mexico

By the CNN Wire Staff
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6.9 quake hits Mexico
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • NEW: There were no immediate reports of damage
  • The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.9
  • It hit 6.2 miles under the Gulf of California
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(CNN) -- A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Mexico's Gulf of California on Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The quake, which registered at a depth of 6.2 miles (10 kilometers), was centered between southern Baja California and the Mexican state of Sinaloa, about 65 miles from the city of Los Mochis in Sinaloa, the USGS said.

There were no immediate reports of major damage, though residents in the area were shaken up.

Frightened people streamed out of their buildings, local journalist Julio Cesar Martinez told CNN en Español.

Schools in the area let out for the day, he said.

"It was very strong," Los Mochis fire department Cmdr. Victor Manuel Ledezma said. Weaker earthquakes had been felt in the area in the past few days, he said.

The fire department had not received any calls for emergencies in the immediate aftermath of the quake, he said.

CNN's Mariano Castillo contributed to this report.