Mexico struck by 5.9-magnitude earthquake

Kim Hjelmgaard | USA TODAY

A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico early Monday, but it was shorter and less intense than one that struck in the same area, damaging about 1,000 houses, on Friday.

Monday's quake struck 27 miles east of Oaxaca at a depth of six miles, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Oaxaca is about 300 miles south of Mexico City. There are no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The quake triggered emergency alarms and jarred awake residents as far away as Mexico City who scrambled into the streets.

Friday's tremors caused tall buildings in Mexico's capital to sway for over two minutes and revived memories of two earthquakes in September last year that killed several hundred people in Mexico City and other parts of the country.

More: Mexico struck by massive 7.2-magnitude earthquake

No one was killed during last week's quake, but a military helicopter carrying officials assessing its damage crashed, killing 13 people and injuring a further 15.

More: Mexico helicopter crash kills 13 in wake of earthquake