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3 men in India navigating with Google Maps die after driving car off incomplete bridge
The damaged bridge was reportedly not reflected on Google Maps and there were no barriers put up.
November 27, 2024, 02:40 AM
Three men were killed in Uttar Pradesh, India on Nov. 24 after the car they were in drove off a damaged, unfinished bridge and landed in the river.
It was reported that they were apparently using Google Maps for navigation when the fatal accident occurred.
Google Maps horror :
— Surya Reddy (@jsuryareddy) November 24, 2024
Wrong #GPS location took the lives of 3 people in #Bareilly, #UttarPradesh#GoogleMaps directed a car to a half-finished bridge.
Due to dense #fog, the incomplete bridge was not visible and the car falls into the #RamgangaRiver, resulting in the death of… pic.twitter.com/uTCMKTz7xG
Fell 15m
Media reports from India outlets stated that the trio were either on their way from Noida to Bareilly to attend a wedding when tragedy struck as they traversed the Ramganga River, or that they were on their way home.
The car reportedly fell more than 15m onto the riverbed, according to Times of India.
Bridge damaged by floods
The bridge was left incomplete as it had previously collapsed into the river during the floods earlier in 2024.
The damaged bridge was apparently not reflected on Google Maps.
A local police said there were no safety barriers or warning signs on the bridge, reported The Economic Times.
Villagers found car and men
Locals from the Allapur village discovered the car and the bodies on Nov. 24 morning at around 9:30am, according to Hindustan Times.
The victims were declared dead at the scene.
The vehicle, a Suzuki Wagon R, was suspected to be a taxi, the authorities believed.
They stated that the vehicle fell from the incomplete bridge.
Deceased identified
Two of the men are 30-year-old brothers Nitin and Ajit, and the third person, Amit, was reportedly 40 years old, The Economic Times further disclosed.
Family members of the deceased and residents slammed the local authorities for failing to close off the bridge.
Personnel from the public works department in the state, as well as an unnamed official from Google Maps, have been booked, The Economic Times reported in a separate piece.
Google responds
The American tech giant behind the real-time geographical web service has since responded.
A Google spokesperson said in a statement shared with Futurism: “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families. We’re working closely with the authorities and providing our support to investigate the issue.”
Top photos via @jsuryareddy X
