Jon Blacker, Photographer
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Toronto | ON | Canada | Posted: 8:12 PM on 12.30.09 |
->> In Kandahar today, in addition to another four soldiers we lost, I believe, the first Canadian journalist in the war in Afghanistan; Calgary-based reporter Michelle Lang.
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/12/30/kandahar-soldiers.html
Five Canadians Killed in Afghanistan
Five Canadians were killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday — four soldiers and a Calgary reporter.
Brig.-Gen. Daniel Ménard said one Canadian civilian was also wounded in the attack.
The journalist was identified as Michelle Lang, who worked for the Calgary Herald.
Lang, who was 34, grew up in Vancouver and was a well-respected health reporter for the Herald, winning a National Newspaper Award in 2008 for best beat reporting. She had also worked in Regina and Moose Jaw.
Friends describe Lang, who was engaged, as bright with a sharp tongue and quick wit.
"She came across as sweet and quiet — but could bring a room down with laughter with one observation," one friend said. "She was a fabulous friend: kind, loyal, thoughtful. No number of adjectives can describe her talent, her charm, or the hole she leaves in the lives of those close to her."
The death of the five Canadians comes a week after Lt. Andrew Nuttall was killed by an explosive near the village of Nakhonay in Panjwaii District, about 25 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city.
It was the worst single day for Canadian casualties in Afghanistan since six soldiers were killed on July 4, 2007, when their large armoured vehicle struck a roadside bomb on a well-used road in the Panjwaii district, about 20 kilometres southwest of the city of Kandahar.
Since 2002, 138 Canadian soldiers have been killed serving in Afghanistan.
Today's casualities bring the number of Canadian civilians killed in Afghanistan to four. The reporter is the first Canadian journalist to be killed while covering the conflict in Afghanistan. Seven journalists from other countries have also died.
The attack happened the same day eight Americans were killed in an attack on a military base in the eastern province of Khost. |
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