Driver and Passengers Killed After Google Maps Directs Them to Take Unfinished Bridge: Report

Three men tragically died after their car, following Google Maps directions, plunged off an unfinished bridge into a river in India.

The victims, identified as Vivek, Amit, and an unidentified individual, were traveling from Gurugram to Bareilly to attend a wedding when they relied on Google Maps for navigation, Hindustan Times reported.

The app directed them onto an under-construction flyover, which had collapsed in 2022 due to flooding. The bridge remained incomplete without warning signs or barricades to indicate danger or a closure.

On November 18, the car fell 50 feet into the Ramganga River in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly district. Locals discovered the accident the following morning.

"At around 9:30 am, we were informed about a damaged car found in the Ramganga river," a police official said. "Our team discovered a Wagon R, suspected to be a taxi, that had fallen from the incomplete bridge. The bodies of the victims were recovered and sent for post-mortem. While two individuals have been identified as Vivek and Amit, efforts are ongoing to confirm the identity of the third victim."

Meanwhile, the victims' families have accused local authorities of negligence for failing to secure the site and have demanded a formal investigation.

In response, authorities launched an investigation, focusing on the lack of proper signage and safety measures around the bridge. Google has expressed condolences and pledged to work with local officials to address the issue.