University of Cambridge scientist died in Spain train crash

A University of Cambridge professor has been named as one of the 69 people killed in the deadly high-speed train crash in Spain.

Dr Marta Shahbazi was on her way to collect a prize for scientific excellence and travelling on one of the trains involved in Wednesday's rail disaster near the town of Urda in central Spain.

The "inspiring, talented and passionate" scientist's death was confirmed by a research institute based at the University of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain.

The centre said: "The CiMUS community would like to express its support and deepest sympathies to our dear PI María José Alonso, following the death of her niece, Marta Shahbazi, in the railway accident that occurred on 28 October.

"Marta was a brilliant young researcher, Group Leader at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Affiliate Associate Professor at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge.

"At this difficult time, we extend our heartfelt condolences to María José and her family, as well as to Marta Shahbazi's colleagues and collaborators."

Dr Shahbazi was an affiliate professor at the University of Cambridge, according to its website.

An expert in cell biology, she studied human development, reproduction and women's health, according to her LinkedIn profile, and spearheaded a research group at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology.

It said in a statement: "Marta was an inspiring, talented and passionate scientist whose research shed light on the earliest steps in the development of human embryos and how errors occur that lead to failed pregnancies.

"Her work was recognised with many awards and prizes, including selection for the Young Investigator Programme of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO), and most recently, the Scientific Excellence Prize from the Spanish Society of Developmental Biology.

"Marta's death is a profound shock and a huge loss for LMB. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this extremely difficult time."

The 41-year-old moved to Cambridge in 2014 and took the reins of her own research group in 2020, according to El Pais.

Dr Shahbazi had been studying pregnancy failures with her research having the potential to save countless lives, the Spanish newspaper reported, and was on her way to collect an award for her work at a conference in Huelva, Andalusia.

The collision, involving services operated by Iryo and Renfe that were carrying 147 and 397 people respectively, happened on the line connecting Madrid to Spain's southern Andalusia region.

The state-operated Renfe high-speed train smashed into the back of the stationary train operated by the Iryo company.

Spain's transport minister said the crash occurred after an "inexplicable" computer communications failure and human error. The Renfe train was authorised ‌to continue its journey out of Madrid despite an active red signal, Oscar Puente said.

Audio recordings reported by Spanish media appeared to reveal one of the trains receiving an incorrect order to proceed at normal speed.

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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said his government was "doing our best to respond" to the "human tragedy", adding it was looking to establish the exact cause of the crash which also left dozens of others in hospital.

It is one of the worst train disasters in Spain's history - and the second deadly high-speed rail crash the country has seen this year.

At least 45 people were killed and 170 injured when two trains derailed in Adamuz in southern Spain on 18 January.

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