BUENOS AIRES, Oct 16 (Reuters) – Liam Payne, the beloved singer who gained worldwide fame as part of the iconic boy band One Direction, tragically died at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires. This shocking incident has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans across the globe.

As news spread of the English singer’s death, One Direction fans flocked to the CasaSur hotel in the upscale Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. They sang his songs, shared memories, and celebrated his impact on their lives, creating a touching tribute to his life and career. Authorities confirmed that police were called to the hotel. According to the police statement, hotel staff heard a loud noise in the courtyard and soon discovered Payne had fallen from the balcony of his room.

In audio obtained from the Buenos Aires security ministry, a hotel employee can be heard urgently requesting police assistance. “He’s conscious and destroying the entire room. His life is at risk because the room has a balcony,” the worker said, underscoring the chaotic situation.

Liam Payne’s rise to fame began when music mogul Simon Cowell formed One Direction during the 2010 season of Britain’s X Factor. Alongside bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, Payne achieved global success, with the group selling over 70 million records. Their hits included “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Story of My Life,” and “Live While We're Young.” Payne contributed as a songwriter on some of their biggest tracks, including "Story of My Life" and "Night Changes."

Although One Direction went on hiatus in 2016, Payne continued his solo career, releasing multiple singles, including his most recent, "Teardrop," which came out in March of this year. Despite his musical achievements, Payne often spoke publicly about his battles with mental health and the pressures of fame, including struggles with alcohol. In a 2019 interview with The Guardian, he opened up about how loneliness and isolation during his tours worsened his alcohol dependency. “What else are you going to do? The minibar is always there,” he remarked.

Fans in Argentina, who held a candlelight vigil following his death, expressed their disbelief. Micaela Ibertis, one of the mourners, shared her feelings: "It feels like a nightmare. I keep thinking I’ll wake up and it won’t be true... accepting this is going to be really hard." Another fan, Violeta Antier, recalled seeing Payne at a Niall Horan concert not long ago. "He looked fine. I can’t believe it," she said.

Liam Payne’s musical journey started when he first auditioned for The X Factor at just 14 years old. Simon Cowell, recognizing his potential, encouraged him to return two years later. “I always knew he would be an important part of this band, so bringing him back was an easy decision,” Cowell once said.

Payne’s sudden death has shocked many in the music world. Singer-songwriter Charlie Puth, who collaborated with him, posted on Instagram: "I can’t believe it. Liam was always so kind to me." Payne also worked with Rita Ora on the 2018 hit "For You" and released his debut solo album LP1 in 2019.

Outside of music, Payne was a father to his son Bear, whom he shared with Cheryl, a former Girls Aloud singer and British TV personality. The pair had met while Cheryl was a judge on The X Factor. Last year, Payne posted a video on YouTube, where he candidly spoke about his struggles, family, and plans to make new music while remaining sober. He thanked his fans for their unwavering support during his difficult times.

Just hours before his death, Payne had shared joyful moments from his trip to Argentina on Snapchat, discussing his love for the country, playing polo, and his anticipation to return home. "It's a beautiful day here in Argentina," Payne said in what would be his final message to fans.