Four German soldiers died and 29 were injured in a bomb blast that hit a bus carrying members of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan early this morning, Defence Minister Mr Peter Struck said.
An earlier statement from ISAF officials in Kabul had said three Germans were killed in the attack, which killed at least six people in all, according to Afghan military officials.
Seven of the Germans injured were in serious condition and were to be flown out urgently for home, the minister said.
The ISAF troops were heading for the Kabul airport after completing their service when their bus was hit by a booby-trapped car.
US President George W. Bush and French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie have sent their condolences to the German government, Struck said.
The attack was the deadliest to date against ISAF and the latest in a series of incidents to blight the peacekeeping force which has patrolled Kabul under a UN mandate following the December 2001 downfall of the former Taliban regime.
Germany has contributed 2,300 soldiers to ISAF, the largest national contingent in the 4,700-strong force.
It currently shares the command of the force with The Netherlands.
AFP