A family from Bihar headed towards Goa using Google Maps ends up in a forest. Ranjit Das and his family were traveling to Goa when the app directed them through dense forested areas of Shiroli and Hemmadaga in Belagavi district. 

Late on the night of December 4, they found themselves stranded 7-8 kilometers deep in the forest without mobile network coverage, forcing them to spend the night in their vehicle amidst potentially dangerous wildlife.

The next morning, Mr. Das walked nearly four kilometers to find network coverage and contacted emergency services via helpline 112. 

Local police, with the help of villagers and GPS coordinates, successfully located and rescued the family. Khanapur police inspector Manjunath Nayak remarked that the family was fortunate to regain connectivity, given the forest’s hazards, including a recent bear attack.

This incident adds to a growing list of concerns about Google Maps’ reliability. 

Other incidents

In late November, three men tragically died in Uttar Pradesh after their car, guided by the app, drove off an incomplete bridge. Similarly, in August 2024, investor Ashish Kacholia missed his flight from Bengaluru to Mumbai after Google Maps underestimated the travel time to the airport, miscalculating by over an hour.

While navigation apps are a vital tool, these incidents highlight the importance of verifying routes in unfamiliar or remote areas to avoid potential dangers.