New Delhi, Mar 8: The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said that Mukul Arya, India's representative at the Palestinian city of Ramallah, died of natural causes and slammed "irresponsible comments" on his passing away.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had on Sunday expressed shock at Arya's demise.

Responding to media queries regarding Arya's death, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "We have seen some irresponsible comments on the passing away of Shri Mukul Arya, Representative of India in Ramallah."

"He died of natural causes. We urge that the tragic demise of a young diplomat be treated with decency and respect," he said.

The official spokesperson made the assertion over speculative comments on the diplomat's demise.

Arya had served in the Indian embassies in Kabul, Moscow as well as at the MEA headquarters in Delhi.

He also served at India's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO in Paris.

Arya studied economics at the Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University before joining the Indian Foreign Service.

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Thane (PTI): A 45-year-old man was killed, and his wife and son were injured when a portion of plaster from the ceiling collapsed in their flat in a seven-storey building in Thane on Saturday, officials said.

Chief of the Regional Disaster Management Cell, Yasin Tadvi, said the 16-year-old building is not listed in the "dangerous" category.

"The incident occurred in Karumdev Society at about 3 am. The plaster of the hall in a flat on the terrace floor suddenly fell while the occupants were asleep", he said.

Of the four people who were inside the room, two suffered minor injuries and were discharged after primary treatment, Tadvi stated.

The injured persons were identified as Arpita More (42), who suffered minor head injuries, and her son Arush More (16), who sustained injuries to both legs.

Manoj More (45), who sustained chest injuries, died during treatment at a private hospital.