A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Japan today triggering mass evacuations, sparking fires and leaving residents trapped under the rubble of their homes – as others scrambled for higher ground amid warnings of a tsunami.

A total of 21 quakes above 4.0 magnitude rang out shortly after 4pm local time (7am UK time), and videos shared on social media and broadcast on Japanese TV showed how buildings collapsed in Suzu, a city close to the epicentre of the largest quake, with thick cracks appearing in roads.

The tremors triggered a huge fire in Wajima city, in the worst-hit Ishikawa prefecture, with shocking footage showing massive flames engulfing residential buildings according to local broadcasters.

Other clips showed terrified shoppers thrown to the ground in department stores and flooding at a train station after water pipes burst.

 The earthquake struck as millions of Japanese flocked to temples to mark the new year.

Japan’s meteorological agency said that the earthquake’s magnitude of 7.6 is the largest ever recorded in the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture.

Rescuers are combing through the debris of several houses to evacuate trapped residents after Yoshimasa Hayashi, chief cabinet secretary of Japan, said there were at least six reported incidents of houses collapsing on inhabitants.

Elements of Japan’s military have been called up to aid in the rescue and evacuation efforts, Hayashi added.

No reports of deaths or injuries have yet been confirmed, but officials said the situation is still unclear.

The earthquakes triggered fears of a tsunami, with the meteorological agency initially warning citizens to brace for waves of up to 5 metres (16.4ft).

Officials later downgraded the major warning to a regular tsunami warning.