North Korea on Wedneday morning test-fired at least six missiles, including one inter-continental missile that appeared to have failed in flight, in a highly provocative move on the US’s Independence Day that will invite a strong diplomatic response.

Pyongyang attempted to fire the previously untested long-range Taepodong-2 missile with the potential to hit Alaska, Hawaii and perhaps the US mainland, according to officials in Washington, but it failed within one minute of being launched.