A Canadian tourist has been killed and at least four other people have been shot after a gunman opened fire at one of Mexico's most famous tourist destinations, the Teotihuacán pyramids near Mexico City.

The shooting - the latest violent incident to hit Mexico as it prepares to co-host the World Cup in June - happened on Monday lunchtime and was captured on cellphone video by visitors to the country.

A witness, Laura Torres, told La Jornada newspaper that she heard more than 20 shots coming from the Pyramid of the Moon, the second largest in the ancient complex of buildings. “At first it was sporadic, then one shot after another, then sporadic again,” said Torres, who believed the suspected shooter — who authorities said took his own life — had used a handgun.

Mexican media reports that the fatal victim was a 32-year-old woman from Canada.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed "deep sorrow" over the attack on the UNESCO world heritage site, which comes after a high-profile outbreak of violence in February following the killing of a top drug lord known as "El Mencho" near the city of Guadalajara.

"I express my sincerest solidarity with the affected individuals and their families," Sheinbaum wrote on social media, calling for a full investigation.

The British Embassy in Mexico City urged UK citizens to follow instructions from local authorities if they were in the area where the shooting occurred.

Mexican authorities said four people — Colombian, Russian and Canadian citizens — suffered gunshot wounds. Another victim suffered a broken bone, apparently after falling while on top of the 43-meter-high pyramid. Mexico’s Foreign Ministry said it was in constant contact with the Canadian embassy in Mexico “and other embassies of the affected individuals to provide timely follow-up to these events.”

The shooting at the world-famous archaeological site made headlines and caused widespread consternation in Mexico, where authorities are preparing to host 13 World Cup matches, including the opening match. Concerns about the security situation in Mexico were heightened by a wave of coordinated cartel attacks following the killing of El Mencho in February, although the violence was quickly contained.

The Teotihuacán complex is one of Mexico's most visited destinations, attracting nearly 2 million tourists each year.