The death toll of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan has risen to 54 with the latest one reported in the southern city of Kandahar, the military announced on Thursday.

A special forces soldier fell from a communication tower and died on Wednesday, Col. Mike Cessford, deputy Canadian commander in Afghanistan, told reporters in Kandahar.

"I believe this was a routine activity. It was not operationally related," he was quoted as saying by Canadian media. "By all indications, this was a tragic accident."

Most of Canada's 54 lost soldiers died in bomb attacks by insurgents. One diplomat was also killed in a bombing.

Last year, the government extended the mission of Canada's 2500 troops in Afghanistan for two years from early 2007 to 2009.

Source: Xinhua