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Four Canadian soldiers and a Journalist killed in Kandahar City

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | December 30, 2009 at 04:10 pm

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Four Canadian soldiers, along with a journalist, were killed Wednesday afternoon in Kandahar City.

The killing was as a result of a powerful blast. The military has not yet released the names of he soldiers.

The name of the Journalist, Michelle Lang, of the Calgary Herald has been released. Michelle Lang had just been in country for two weeks on her first Afghanistan assignment.

Michelle Lang, 34, was an award winning journalist. She covered the health beat for the Calgary Herald.

More on Michelle Lang in this story Calgary Herald

The name of the solidiers have now been released by the Department of National Defence. They are:

Sgt. George Miok, 28, of Edmonton, Sgt. Kirk Taylor, 28, of Yarmouth, N.S., Cpl. Zachery McCormack, 21, of Edmonton, and Pte. Garrett Chidley, 21, of Cambridge, Ont.,

The soldier were part of the Military Civilian outreach Program Compound. They were on a routine patrol in a part of the city that was considered safe. Five soldiers were also injured during this blast and taken to Kandahar Military hospital.

This brings the total to 138 Canadian soldiers and two civilians (1 diplomat, 1 journalist) killed in Afghanistan.

Statement by Prime Minister Harpers Press Secretary:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's press secretary, Dimitri Soudas, issued a statement on his behalf Wednesday night.

"On behalf of all Canadians, the prime minister offers his most sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who lost their lives in Afghanistan earlier today," the statement said.

"Four brave soldiers paid the ultimate price while courageously serving their country in Kandahar. They perished seeking to help the Afghans build a better future for themselves while working tirelessly to advance Canadian values. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten.

"Also fallen is a brave reporter, Michelle Lang, who lost her life reporting on the invaluable work being done by Canadian soldiers, aid workers and diplomats in Afghanistan. Her unforeseen and tragic death will be felt in Calgary and in communities across Canada."

More information will be provided as it is received.

Four Canadian soldiers and a Canadian journalist have been killed in a powerful blast in Kandahar city.

The deaths Wednesday afternoon occurred as they drove through a supposedly safe part of the city on a regular patrol.

The military did not immediately release any names, but reporters at the base at Kandahar Airfield has identified the journalist killed as Michelle Lang of the Calgary Herald.

She had been in Afghanistan for just over two weeks on her first assignment in the country for Canwest News Service.

The four soldiers were based at the Canadian military-civilian outreach compound in Kandahar.

In all, 138 Canadian soldiers and two civilians have died on the Afghan mission.