AT least 61 people have been killed after a massive 8.1-magnitude earthquake struck Mexico.

The country's most powerful quake in a century saw police, soldiers and emergency workers trawling the rubble of buildings for victims and survivors.

19 Emergency Services workers inspect the debris of a collapsed building in Juchitan town Credit: EPA

19 The city was the hardest hit by the huge quake Credit: EPA

19 Thousands of people have been made homeless by the disaster Credit: EPA

The rescue operation could be plunged into further chaos as Tropical Storm Katia makes its way up the east coast.

President Enrique Pena Nieto said 45 people were killed in Oaxaca state, 12 in Chiapas and four in Tabasco.

The final death toll is expected to rise above 80, according to officials.

In the hardest hit city, Juchitan in Oaxaca, at least 36 bodies have been pulled from the ruins.

Rescuers spent 18 hours at the city's collapsed town hall trying to save two policemen believed to be trapped under the rubble.

Vidal Vera, 29, a colleague of the two men was one of 300 rescue workers trawling through the concrete and debris.

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19 Hundreds of rescue workers search for survivors in the remains of the town hall Credit: EPA

19 Aid efforts have been launched in the city Credit: EPA

19 The official death toll is expected to rise in the coming days Credit: EPA

He said: "I can't remember an earthquake this terrible. The whole city is a disaster zone right now.

"Lots of damage. Lots of deaths. I don't know how you can make sense of it. It's hard. My sister-in-law's husband died. His house fell on top of him."

The epicenter of the quake, which hit late Thursday, was in the Pacific Ocean, about 100 kilometers off the town of Tonala in Chiapas.

The quake was felt as far north as Mexico City -- some 800 kilometers from the epicenter -- where people fled their homes, many in their pajamas, after hearing sirens go off.

Meanwhile, storm Katia reached the east coast late last night as a Category One hurricane, but hours later was downgraded to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.

The US National Hurrican Center said the storm was "life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, especially in areas of mountainous terrain".

It is expected to reach areas affected by the quake later today.

19 Residents of Juchitan de Zaragoza inspect the damage Credit: AFP or licensors

19 Soldiers stand guard outside the collapsed Sensacion hotel in Matias Romero, Mexico following the Mexico earthquake Credit: EPA

19 Residents look at the damaged hotel following the 8.2 magnitude quake Credit: EPA

19 A soldier walks by a partially collapsed building in Matias Romero, one of the worst-hit towns in the region Credit: AP:Associated Press

19 Mexico was severely jolted overnight by an 8.2-magnitude earthquake - its most powerful in a century Credit: AFP or licensors

19 A heavily damaged street in the eastern area of Mexico City after a 8.2 earthquake Credit: AFP or licensors

19 A wall is ripped in two by the earthquake that struck Mexico this morning Credit: AFP or licensors

19 Tourists and residents were seen taking shelter after the powerful quake Credit: Rex Features

19 Hazardous tsunami waves are expected to pound the coast of Central America just as Caribbean islands are pummelled by deadly Hurricane Irma

19 The magnitude 8.1 quake struck near Tres Picos

Brits have spoken of their terror after getting caught up in the earthquake

KAT OUT OF HELL Hurricane Katia is bearing down on Mexico THREE hurricanes are churning in the Atlantic for the first time in seven years after Tropical Storm Katia was upgraded to hurricane strength. As 185mph Hurricane Irma batters the Caribbean - closely followed by Hurricane Jose - Katia is bearing down on the east coast of Mexico. Forecasters have been tracking the storm as it brews over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, close to where Hurricane Harvey gathered strength as it approached Texas. Katia is heading in a different direction - southwest towards Mexico City. The storm is blowing maximum sustained winds of around 80mph and is said to be gathering strength.

One person was also killed in Guatemala, according to the country's President.

President Jimmy Morales said: "We have reports of some damage and the death of one person, even though we still don't have details.”

Thousands of holidaymakers are among those affected by the earthquake, which has left a number of locals homeless.

Terrifying footage captured the moment dozens of people ran for their lives after the quake hit a gaming arcade.

Debris can then be seen falling from the ceiling as people fled in terror.

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The person filming the video can be heard saying: "It's shaking. Oh my God, it's shaking so badly, son of a b****, son of a b****.

"Get the f*** out, get the f*** out, get the f*** out. My God."

A hotel in Oaxaca has collapsed in the major earthquake, but no one was reported dead at the resort.

Civil Defense photos show how the crumbling Anel hotel in Matias Romero split in half.

19 Food and cleaning products littered the supermarket aisles after the powerful shocks Credit: Rex Features

19 The powerful earthquake wreaked havoc in southern Mexico Credit: Rex Features

19 Computers and chairs were sent flying in offices during the quake

Imágenes de las afectaciones tras el terremoto en Hotel Marriott en #Tuxtla pic.twitter.com/UQSWtK7mGx — Alerta Chiapas (@AlertaChiapas) September 8, 2017

People in Mexico City ran out into the streets in pyjamas and alarms sounded after the quake struck just before midnight.

Brit Max Page, who was staying in the capital, said: “Whole house was rocking back and forth insanely, everyone ran out onto the street and was freaking out.

“Strongest earthquake I’ve ever felt, and I’m a person who lived in LA for 17 years.”