Pakistan, June 10 -- A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the southern Philippines has displaced more than 32,000 people, killed at least 37, and injured nearly 500, as widespread panic over possible tsunami forced thousands to flee coastal and inland communities.

Rescue teams continued search and recovery operations on Wednesday across damaged areas in Mindanao, the country's second-largest island, a day after one of the strongest quakes to hit the nation in decades. Officials said only four people are still listed as missing, but warned that ongoing structural damage assessments could reveal additional casualties.

The quake, which was centred offshore near Sarangani province, triggered fears of a tsunami, prompting mass eva...