Michael Jackson, the undisputed “King of Pop” has died, aged 50, after suffering from a fatal cardiac arrest. The world is in shock as news of his death circulates the international community and tributes for the troubled star pour in.

Jackson was in his rented Los Angeles mansion in the exclusive Holmby Hills area, when he collapsed. Paramedics rushed him to hospital but doctors could not save him, and he died at 2.26pm (2126 GMT).

Jackson, whose career spans four decades, was considered to be one of the most iconic and influential musicians of all time, and his album “Thriller” has sold more copies of any other album across the world. The singer was preparing for a comeback and much awaited string of concerts in London next month, which was expected to be his last live tour.

News of the star’s death has ignited grief from all corners of the world from celebrities, foreign governments and adoring fans.

A spokesman for the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office, Leiutenant Fred Corral, confirmed that an autopsy was expected to be carried out today, but refused to suggest the exact cause of death.

Jermaine Jackson – Michael’s older brother and the official Jackson spokesman, told the press that doctors had desperately spent an hour trying to revive the singer after he arrived at the UCLA Medical Center, before he was pronounced dead.

“Our family requests that the media please respect our privacy during this tough time,” Jermaine Jackson said. “May Allah be with you, Michael, always.”

As the day drew to an end in LA, a coroner’s office helicopter, carrying Jackson’s body departed from the UCLA Medical Center, as throngs of fans and media watched below.

Security had to be stepped up at Jackson’s home with an increased police presence as crowds began to gather round the gates.

Another iconic pop star – Madonna – was amongst the many celebrities finding the news hard to deal with, “I can’t stop crying over the sad news,” the singer said in a statement. “The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever!”

Jackson’s first wife, Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley, was lost for words when she heard the news of his death.

“I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children, who I know were everything to him, and for his family,” Presley told MTV News in a statement.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband also added his thoughts on micro-blogging site Twitter. “Never has one soared so high and yet dived so low. RIP Michael,” Miliband wrote.

A 49 year old tourist from Dallas, Lana Brown, collapsed in fits of tears when she heard of his death, “Right today, I can’t believe we might have lost the best entertainer this world has ever seen,” she told AFP.

Jackson’s death made the top story in China on websites like Soho.com and Sina.com which referred to him as the “most remarkable singer ever.”