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The volcano burst into life at the same time the earthquake battered cities in Mexico – sending a large plume of smoke into the sky.

A church collapsed during mass, killing 15 people, in Atzitzihuacan on the slopes of the volcano, Puebla Governor Jose Antonio Gali said.

At least 248 people – including 22 children – have were killed during the earthquake, and it appears to have sparked activity at the volcano Popocatepetl.

The mountain is known to be very active and previously had a signficant eruption on August 22, sending a volcanic plume some 4km into the air.

Pictures posted on social media appear to show smoke rising from the peak of the 5,426m tall mountain.

(Image: TWITTER)

Experts at geological news service Sismologia Mundial reported the plume as a "mild eruption" and confirmed Popocatepetl is now "normal".

One witness said on Twitter the volcano expelled a large amount of smoke moments after the tremor.

Another described a “reddish” plume of smoke emerge from the crater after the earthquake shook the region of Puebla.

(Image: TWITTER) (Image: TWITTER)

W Radio Mexico first reported the eruption and claimed the volcano was on "red alert" following the earthquake.

However, civil protection coordinator Luis Felipe Puente confirmed the volcano warning reamins at "yellow phase two" on Twitter.

The official dismissed reports of an elevated warning level as "false".

Dozens of buildings have collapsed in the quake which struck Mexico City at 1pm local time – with the death toll still expected to rise.

The earthquake fell on the exact day a devastating 8.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the city in 1985 and killed 5,000 people.

It also comes less than two weeks after the strongest quake in a century hit Mexico's southern coast and left 90 people dead.

US President Donald Trump said on Twitter: “God bless the people of Mexico City. We are with you and will be there for you.”