A magnitude 6.9 earthquake rocked Guatemala's border with Mexico, leaving three people dead and causing serious damage to dozens of buildings.

The US Geological Survey put the time of the quake at 7:23 a.m. EDT. It was centered 35 kilometers west-southwest of the Mexican city of Tapachula in Chiapas state at a depth of about 75 kilometers, according to the agency. The quake was initially reported with a magnitude of 7.1. The agency revised it down to 6.9.

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Among the worst affected areas was the Guatemalan region of San Marcos, near the Mexico border. Guatemalan officials said at least 48 homes in the town of La Reforma suffered substantial damage.

San Marcos Governor Luis Rivera said the municipal cemetery in La Reforma was also destroyed. In November 2012, at least 48 people died in a magnitude 7.4 quake in San Marcos. Rivera described the latest earthquake as "pretty strong," adding "Families in the area are really scared because of the whole experience of November 2012."

Alejandro Maldonado, head of the national emergency authority CONRED, confirmed three people died as walls of their homes caved in.

"Yes, unfortunately," Maldonado said, commenting on the reported deaths.

According to a spokesman for the Guatemalan fire services, Raul Hernandez, two of the dead were from the town of San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta. Another fire services spokesman, Sergio Vasquez, said 12 other people were injured.

The quake also triggered landslides and knocked down electricity poles, causing power outages. Communication was also disrupted. In Chiapas, frightened residents rushed into the streets.

A 32-year-old woman in the town of Comitan ran with her 1-year-old daughter for safety. "I thought the house was going to collapse," she said. The quake was also felt in southern Mexico, as well as El Salvador, but there were no immediate reports of deaths or damage to property.

TagsGuatemala earthquake, Mexico earthquake