CAMBRIDGE SCIENTIST MARTA SHAHBAZI, 41, CONFIRMED DEAD AFTER DEVASTATING SPAIN TRAIN CRASH
CAMBRIDGE SCIENTIST MARTA SHAHBAZI, 41, CONFIRMED DEAD AFTER DEVASTATING SPAIN TRAIN CRASH
The mother of two had been travelling to receive an award for her groundbreaking research when the collision occurred. Her family had spent days desperately waiting for news.
A Cambridge-based scientist who was reported missing after a devastating train collision in Spain has been confirmed dead, bringing a heartbreaking end to days of uncertainty for her family.
Dr Marta Shahbazi, 41, was among the passengers aboard a Renfe high-speed AVE train involved in a collision near Urda, in Spain’s Toledo province, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
The train struck the rear of a stationary Iryo service, causing several carriages to derail. At least 69 people were reported killed in the disaster, with many others injured.
Marta’s family had been desperately searching for information about her whereabouts. Her brother, Carlos Shahbazi, previously told Spanish newspaper El País that they knew nothing about her condition and were holding on to a final hope.
Days later, the family received confirmation that she had died. The news was reported by The Times on November 1.
A JOURNEY TO RECEIVE AN AWARD FOR HER RESEARCH
Marta was travelling from Madrid towards Huelva, where she was due to receive an award recognising her scientific work at a conference organised by the Spanish Society for Developmental Biology.
She was travelling in carriage eight of the Renfe train.
A respected researcher at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, Marta led a team studying the earliest stages of human development.
Her work focused on how human embryos develop and why some pregnancies fail during their earliest stages. Her research explored areas that could help scientists better understand reproductive development and improve knowledge surrounding fertility treatment.
She had built a career dedicated to understanding some of the most fundamental processes of human life.
A DEVOTED MOTHER OF TWO
Away from the laboratory, Marta was a mother to two young children, aged three and seven, and lived in Cambridge.
Her brother Carlos spoke warmly about her while the family was still searching for answers.
He described Marta as a wonderful, affectionate and happy person, as well as a tireless worker.
His words reflected the loss facing a family who had been waiting desperately for news since the accident.
A TRAGEDY THAT HAS SHAKEN SPAIN
The collision happened on October 28 when the Renfe AVE train struck the rear of an Iryo train that had stopped on the tracks near Urda.
Authorities have been investigating the circumstances surrounding the disaster, including reported problems with railway signalling and instructions given to the train driver before the collision.
The tragedy left dozens of families waiting for news about loved ones as emergency teams worked through the wreckage and authorities carried out the difficult process of identifying victims.
For Marta’s family, the search ended with devastating news.
She had been travelling to celebrate an achievement in a career devoted to science. Instead, her journey became part of one of Spain’s deadliest recent railway disasters.
She leaves behind her husband, two young children, family members, friends and colleagues whose lives were touched by her work and her presence.
May Dr Marta Shahbazi rest in peace.
