President Barack Obama holds hands with his daughters Malia, left, and Sasha, right, as they leave Sea Life Park, a marine wildlife park, with family friends in Waimanalo, Hawaii, Dec. 27, 2011.

Malia Obama is safe and out of harm's way following an earthquake in Mexico today, where the president's eldest daughter is on vacation.

"In light of today's earthquake, we can confirm that Malia Obama is safe and was never in danger," the first lady's communications director Kristina Schake said in a written statement.

A strong 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck beach resort towns and Mexico's capitol Tuesday afternoon, with no injuries reported.

Reports that Malia, 13, was traveling in Mexico for spring break with friends first surfaced Monday. As always, the White House asked journalists not to report on the Obama children and several media outlets later scrubbed stories they had posted Monday about the first daughter's vacation.

The White House repeated that request today, asking that "the media respect the privacy and security of the Obama children and not report on or photograph the girls when they are not with their parents."