KIEV, July 17 - Transportation Minister Mykola Rudkovskiy must be fired for "incompetence" following a train crash in western Ukraine that produced a toxic cloud in the area, President Viktor Yushchenko's office said Tuesday.

Viktor Baloha, Yushchenko's chief of staff, said Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych had spoken with Yushchenko over the phone on Tuesday and had outlined measures that are being taken by the government.