UPDATED — June 28, 10:27 a.m.
A soldier from Greater Sudbury is one of two Canadian soldiers killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan on June 26.
Private Andrew Miller, 21, from Greater Sudbury and Master Corporal Kristal Giesebrecht were killed when the armored vehicle they were travelling in struck a bomb. A third soldier was injured and was transported to Kandahar City and treated at a hospital.
Miller was serving with 2 Field Ambulance, and Giesebrecht was serving with 1 Canadian Hospital. Both medics were based out of Petawawa, Ont.
"We grieve the loss of MCpl. Kristal Giesebrecht and Pte. Andrew Miller who died in Afghanistan," Peter MacKay, the Minister of National Defence, said in a press release. "My heartfelt sympathies are with the families and loved ones of these brave soldiers, who should be proud of the selfless sacrifice made by MCpl. Kristal Giesebrecht and Pte. Andrew Miller."
The two were killed about 20 km southwest of Kandahar City, according to a press release from the Canadian Forces.
They were part of a group responding to a call for help from an Afghan family, whose door had been rigged with explosives by the Taliban, according to media reports.
"Andrew was responding to the scene of an earlier attack to treat his wounded comrades when an IED was detonated," Rick Bartolucci, Sudbury MPP, said in a separate press release. "This reminds us of the terrible toll that can take place in the service of others. This truly is a tragedy."
"(Miller's) family, during this very painful time, should know we as a community and a democracy honour him."
Miller is survived by his parents, Wendy and Raymond, and his partner, Staci Jessup. Giesbrecht leaves behind a husband, Matt, and a stepson, Jonathan.
Both soldiers were medics with the 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group. With their deaths, the total number of Canadian soldiers killed during the Afghanistan mission rises to 150.
