Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inRich BoothSunday 01 November 2026 12:28 GMTDr Marta Shahbazi (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology)Dr Marta Shahbazi, a University of Cambridge researcher and MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology group leader, has died in a Spanish train crash near Urda.Dr Shahbazi was travelling to accept a scientific excellence prize from the Spanish Society of Developmental Biology at the time of the collision.Colleagues at the LMB paid tribute to Dr Shahbazi, describing her as an inspiring, talented and passionate scientist whose death is a profound shock.At least 69 people were killed in the disaster, which marks Spain's second high-speed rail crash this year on the Madrid to Seville line.Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez promised a full investigation into the tragedy as three days of national mourning were declared.More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in