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Celebrities’ condolences poured in after British singer Liam Payne, a member of the best-selling boy band One Direction, died on Wednesday after falling from the third floor of a Buenos Aires hotel.

American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth said he was in shock and could not believe Payne was gone. “Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with.”

The ‘See You Again’ singer also shared a video of Payne talking about their friendship during an interview.

British singer Olly Murs was at a loss for words after hearing the “devastating news”.

“We always had a good laugh when we saw each other, sometimes the catch-ups were only short and sweet but when we did it was mostly about how annoyingly good his hair always looked,” Murs wrote on Instagram.

Reality television personality and business mogul Paris Hilton mourned Payne’s passing and sent “love and condolences to his family and loved ones”.

Music producer Zedd, who collaborated with Payne on ‘Get Low’, called the ordeal “absolutely heartbreaking”.

In a second tweet, he wrote, “You never know what people are going through. We live in times where being rude, divisive and mean is normal; sometimes even celebrated. It doesn’t have to be this way.”

The producer urged people to do their best to be kind, supportive and mindful.

Fifty Shades of Grey author EL James offered her “sincere condolences to his family”. In 2018, Payne collaborated with Rita Ora on the soundtrack for the movie franchise’s third instalment, Fifty Shades of Freed.

British media personality Piers Morgan said Payne’s passing was a “shocking tragedy”.

British singer Max George, formerly of the band The Wanted, said that Payne was “unbelievably supportive during one of the most difficult” times in George’s life.

“My thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans at this horrendous time.”

American rapper Ty Dolla Sign said he had spoken to Payne two days before his death, adding that he would miss the singer.

American singer Corbyn Besson, formerly of the band Why Don’t We, said the news left him speechless, adding that he looked up to One Direction a lot during his own boyband days.

“Remind your friends/family that you love them today and every day.”

British Pakistani boxer Amir Khan said he was “very sad to hear the sad news” and offered his deepest condolences to the family.

American rapper Juicy J called for prayers for Payne’s family, while Flavor Flav said the ‘Night Changes’ singer was gone too young.

British singer James Arthur, who won season nine of The X Factor, shared a picture with Payne on his Instagram story.

Pakistani celebrities mourn

Samar Jafri revealed that Payne was his favourite member of One Direction and hoped the news of his passing was “not true”.

“So hard to believe,” the actor wrote on his Instagram.

Mariyam Nafees said the singer was gone “real fast, real soon”.

Musical composer and actor Azaan Sami Khan also couldn’t believe the news, adding that Payne would rest in peace “with the greats”.

Actor Komail Anam shared the news on his Instagram with a broken heart emoji.

Fans of Payne and One Direction were also taken aback and bereaved by his death. Minutes after the news of his death broke, distraught fans — most in their 20s and 30s — and onlookers gathered near the scene in the Argentine capital, where medical teams were at work.

“The news hit me hard,” fan Pilar Bilik, 27, told AFP outside the hotel.

The singer suffered “very serious injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall,” the head of the Buenos Aires emergency medical service, Alberto Crescenti, told local television, adding “there was no possibility of resuscitation.” Crescenti said emergency personnel rushed to the Casa Sur hotel in the city’s Palermo neighbourhood after an emergency call was made at 5:04pm local time.

They arrived seven minutes later and “verified the death of this man, who we later learnt was a singer.” Payne appeared to have suffered a fracture at the base of his skull from the fall Crescenti said was from “about 13 or 14 metres”.