Four US soldiers have been killed by a bomb in southern Afghanistan, a Nato spokesman has said.
Brig Gen Eric Tremblay said they were struck “while patrolling in one of the most violent areas of Afghanistan”, but did not give an exact location.
The deaths bring the number of foreign forces killed in Afghanistan in 2009 to 295, according to icasualties.org, which compiles official data.
The previous deadliest year was 2008, when 294 military personnel died.
The soldiers whose deaths were announced on Tuesday had been operating under the command of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in the country.
“It is with great sorrow that I learned about this terrible attack and I wish to convey my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of these four determined Isaf comrades,” said Gen Tremblay.
“We shall always be proud of their courage and sacrifice as they fell fighting for the good of Afghans living in the south,” he added.