Indian authorities are investigating Google Maps and local government officials after three men died when their car drove off a collapsed bridge in Uttar Pradesh.
The victims, identified as Amit Kumar, Vivek Kumar, and Ajit Kumar, were reportedly relying on the navigation app while traveling to a wedding when their vehicle plunged into the Ramganga River in Badaun district on Sunday morning.
The accident occurred near Dataganj, where the group was driving from Bareilly. The bridge had been operational until a section collapsed during floods in 2023, but police say the route remained marked as usable on the navigation system.
“Earlier this year, floods had caused the front portion of the bridge to collapse into the river, but this change had not been updated in the system,” said circle officer Ashutosh Shivam.
Mr. Shivam added that the lack of safety barriers or warning signs near the damaged bridge contributed to the incident. The driver, guided by the navigation app, was unaware of the hazard and unknowingly drove off the collapsed section.
Google Maps horror :
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
— Surya Reddy (@jsuryareddy) November 24, 2024
Police have since opened investigations into both the app’s failure to reflect the bridge’s condition and the local authorities’ failure to install warning signs or close the route. Four engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD) have been charged, along with “unknown persons,” according to police officer Gaurav Bishnoi.
Additionally, a regional representative from Google Maps is under investigation, though they have not yet been named in the police complaint.
A spokesperson for Google offered condolences to the victims’ families, stating:
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the families. We’re working closely with the authorities and providing our support to investigate the issue,” the company told AFP.
The case has drawn attention to the importance of accurate navigation data and proper road safety measures, especially in areas affected by natural disasters.
