Former One Direction star Liam Payne has died at the age of 31.

The singer was in Argentina when he was found dead by police.

How did Payne die?

Local police said Payne had fallen from the third floor of a hotel in the capital Buenos Aires on Wednesday evening.

He is said to have suffered “extremely serious injuries”.

Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, said on Argentinian television that Payne fell into a courtyard of the CasaSur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighbourhood.

He declined to answer further questions about the incident, including whether Payne jumped from the balcony or fell by accident.

Pablo Policicchio, a spokesperson for the security ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, said police were called to the hotel in response to an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol”.

Tributes as Payne found dead at hotel – follow latest

Payne’s social media post hours before death

Payne had posted on Snapchat in the last few hours, and in one video he said it was a “lovely day here in Argentina”.

“Just enjoying coffee and breakfast, even though it’s like 1pm,” he said. “Literally sleep in every day until like 12. We’re such losers.”

The star spoke about “going to ride some horses” and said: “Think I’m going to play polo again which is going to put me out of action for about six weeks.”

“It’s going to be a nice day,” he added.

It was not clear when the videos were filmed, but were posted hours before his death.

Why was Payne in Argentina?

Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan.

He was seen dancing at his show two weeks ago at the Movistar Arena alongside his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

Former One Direction star Liam Payne has been found dead in Argentina.

The 31-year-old singer had fallen from the third floor of a hotel in the capital Buenos Aires, suffering “extremely serious injuries”, police said.

Follow latest updates after Liam Payne found dead

Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, said on Argentinian television that Payne fell into a courtyard of the CasaSur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighbourhood.

The official declined to answer questions over whether he jumped from the balcony or fell by accident.

Mr Crescenti said authorities were investigating the circumstances of his death and conducting a post-mortem examination.

According to TV network Telemundo, police had been called to the hotel to reports of an aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Argentinian media reported that Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan.

Hernan Palazzo, who works near the hotel, said the neighbourhood was “very shaken up… there’s a lot of police, some fans arriving. It is very sad.”

Fans flocked to the hotel after news of Payne’s death broke, with many expressing shock and heartbreak.

“I didn’t think he was going to die so young,” 21-year-old Isabella Milesi said.

Payne had posted on Snapchat in the hours before his death, sharing photos of himself with his partner Kate Cassidy as well as videos in which he said it was a “lovely day here in Argentina”.

“Just enjoying coffee and breakfast, even though it’s like 1pm,” he said. “Literally sleep in every day until like 12. We’re such losers.”

The star spoke about “going to ride some horses” and said: “Think I’m going to play polo again which is going to put me out of action for about six weeks.”

“It’s going to be a nice day,” he added.

Payne had embarked on a solo career after One Direction announced they were going on an indefinite hiatus in 2015.

The band was formed on The X Factor in 2010, with Payne alongside Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Harry Styles. They were mentored on the show by Simon Cowell.

Payne has a seven-year-old son called Bear with singer Cheryl, who was a judge on The X Factor. Their relationship began in 2016 but they split in 2018.

Tributes poured in for Payne following his death.

Former X Factor host Dermot O’Leary posted a photo of himself and Payne on Instagram: writing: “The worst news. I remember him as a 14-year-old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.

“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble. Sending love and prayers to his family.”

Read more:
What we know so far after Liam Payne dies
Payne posted on social media in hours before death

Charlie Puth, who collaborated with Payne on the track Bedroom Floor, posted on Instagram: “I am in shock right now.

“Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I cannot believe he is gone.”

Former X Factor contestants Jedward posted: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear and all the One Direction family.”

Another former contestant, TV presenter Rylan Clark, said: “Extremely sad news. (Very) tragic and so young. RIP Liam.”

Payne, who was born in Wolverhampton, had a complicated personal life and spoken openly about his struggles with alcoholism and mental health. He was also diagnosed with ADHD as an adult.

He had previously spoken about suffering with suicidal thoughts, admitting that he was “lucky to still be here”.

In 2019, Payne addressed his mental health on Sky show Straight Talking with Ant Middleton, where he spoke about his struggles with fame.

Describing fame as like “having a weird midlife crisis”, Payne said: “For some certain circumstances, I’m quite lucky to be here still.”

Since October 2022, Payne has been linked to influencer Cassidy, recently posting on Instagram that they “make each other better people”, and adding: “For the first time in my life I’m happy to be me and that’s priceless.”

He was previously engaged to Maya Henry, with their relationship ending in 2022.

Earlier this week, it was reported she had issued legal proceedings – instructing lawyers to issue a cease and desist letter to Liam – and she posted a video on TikTok claiming the singer had been repeatedly sending her unwanted messages.

Last week, the Sun reported Liam had parted with his management company and shelved plans for a second solo album.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK

The image of a person burning alive among tents in a hospital compound in Gaza has been widely shared online.

Warning: This story contains details and images readers may find distressing

The video captures the moments after an Israeli strike on al Aqsa hospital in Deir al Balah on Monday, in which medics said three people were killed and 40 others were wounded.

The person in the flames was 19-year-old Shaban al Dalu. He was just days away from his 20th birthday.

In the footage he appears to be connected to an IV line, though Sky News was unable to independently verify what the object shown is.

Here, Sky News looks at his story, as our analysis reveals the compound had been struck six times this year.

Shaban was sheltering in a tent in the compound of the hospital with his parents and five siblings. In a YouTube video he posted in February speaking from a tent he built, he said they had been displaced five times.

At the time of the strike, Shaban was recovering from an injury he had suffered 10 days ago.

Shaban’s 16-year-old brother Mohammed identified him in the video of the fire following the strike.

He told Sky News: “My father was busy with my younger brother so I couldn’t help but run towards Shaban to try to help him. People stopped me from getting closer to the danger, saying the civil defence was on its way to put the fire out.

“I kept saying ‘but my brother is on fire! My brother is on fire! Please let me go.’ They wouldn’t let me. My brother was burning in front of my eyes and I couldn’t do anything to help him. It’s an indescribable feeling.”

Their mother, Alaa, was also trapped and died in the inferno.

Shaban, a computer system engineering student, was trying to leave Gaza and had launched a fundraising page online.

“I used to have big dreams, but the war has ruined them. It has taken a toll on me, making me physically and mentally sick… Time feels like it’s stopped in Gaza, and we’re stuck in a never-ending nightmare,” Shaban wrote on his GoFundMe page.

Shaban’s 14-year-old cousin Tasnim was also at the compound when the Israeli strike hit. He told Sky News: “I really don’t understand what we did to deserve this? We’re displaced families. Moving around from one place to the next. That’s all we can do. What did we do wrong?”

Satellite pictures taken on Saturday shows dozens of tents or makeshift shelters in the grounds. Many displaced Palestinians have sought refuge in hospital grounds since the start of the war.

The strike has been criticised by UN acting under secretary general for humanitarian affairs, Joyce Msuya, who said “there seems to be no end to the horrors that Palestinians in Gaza are forced to endure”.

The Israeli military said it was a “precise strike on terrorists” operating in a “command and control centre” in a car park next to the hospital.

Israel accuses Hamas of using civilian facilities like hospitals for military purposes, which Hamas denies.

IDF international spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, said a “fire ignited” in the hospital’s car park after the strike, adding that it was “most likely due to secondary explosions. The incident is under review”.

Sky analysis of previous attacks on the compound shows it has been hit six times since the end of March.

The first occurred on 31 March. The IDF hit a location close to the hospital’s main building, claiming it was targeting a command centre used by the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad.

As it does now, the affected area was occupied by tents.

The head of the World Health Organization said that strike caused four deaths and 14 injuries.

The compound was hit again on 22 July. The IDF has not made a public statement on this strike.

Video from the scene shows tents reportedly used by journalists on fire. At the time, Associated Press reported that one person was killed.

On 4 August, the IDF targeted another area of the compound. At least five people were reportedly killed.

In comments to the media, the IDF said the strike was targeting a militant in the area.

On 5 September, an Israeli strike hit an area in the west of the compound. While the IDF did not confirm the strike’s precise location, it claimed it had targeted a Hamas command centre in the area.

Before Monday, the most recent strike at the hospital compound occurred on 27 September, when an area covered in tents was hit.

While the IDF did not comment publicly on this strike, components of a missile are visible in footage from the scene. Markings on the debris identify it as a Hellfire missile, which are used by Israel and other US allies.

Speaking to Sky News, former US army explosive ordnance disposal technician Trevor Ball said the fragment was from a Hellfire missile.

The Data and Forensics team is a multi-skilled unit dedicated to providing transparent journalism from Sky News. We gather, analyse and visualise data to tell data-driven stories. We combine traditional reporting skills with advanced analysis of satellite images, social media and other open source information. Through multimedia storytelling we aim to better explain the world while also showing how our journalism is done.