British singer Liam Payne, a former member of the best-selling boy band One Direction, tragically passed away at the age of 31 on Wednesday after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, according to police and emergency responders.
Shortly after the news was announced, devastated fans—mostly in their 20s and 30s—and onlookers congregated near the scene in the Argentine capital. Medical teams were still on site, and dozens of police and emergency services personnel had cordoned off the area as night descended on the city.
"The news really affected me," said 27-year-old fan Pilar Bilik at the scene. Fans of the British singer placed candles next to the hotel where he died.
Fans gathered outside the hotel in Argentina where the star met his untimely end.
A forensic technician used his phone outside the hotel where Liam Payne was found dead, while a crowd of fans gathered nearby.
Heartbroken fans were seen crying and comforting each other outside the hotel following the star's sudden death.
Police cordoned off the area as fans gathered near the hotel, where the former One Direction singer fell from his third-floor balcony.
Fans were seen peering through the windows of the hotel where the British singer was found dead.
The "For You" singer rose to global fame as part of the now-disbanded pop band One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson. The boy band began their journey after finishing third on the British version of the X Factor music competition show in 2010. However, the group disbanded in 2016 as its members pursued various projects, including solo careers. One Direction was ranked the third best boy band ever by Entertainment Weekly in 2024. The group won numerous major awards and sold approximately 70 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling boy bands of all time.
