The armoured convoy in which they were travelling was moving through an area in the south side of Kandahar City considered to be a safe zone.
The names of the soldiers have not been released by the military as it informs the next-of-kin. This is taking more time due to the number who were killed and the timing. It is more difficult to contact relatives who may not be home during the holidays.
It is the worst death toll in 2 1/2 years for the Canadian force. On July 4, 2007, six Canadian soldiers were killed in a roadside blast west of Kandahar city.
Four soldiers died in two separate incidents on March 20 this year, while three were killed on March 3. To date, 138 soldiers havea died on this mission.
Ms. Lang had only been in Afghanistan for two weeks and this was her first trip "outside the wire".
"We are all devastated by the loss of Michelle and our thoughts right now are with her family and her fiancé," said Scott Anderson, editor-in-chief of Canwest News Service.
"Journalists need to – and do – put themselves at risk every day to report first-hand on important stories like Afghanistan. But that doesn't make this any easier."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered his condolences.
"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," he said in a release.
He also said Ms. Lang's death will be felt in Calgary and in communities across Canada.
Also Wednesday, U.S. officials reported that eight American civilians were killed in a suicide attack on a military base in southeastern Khost province.
More details will follow as information becomes available.
For a more detailed story about Ms. Lang go to Michelle Lang in Afghanistan
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