Google has allegedly assisted Indian officials in the serious incident involving the death of 3 men who were driving to an unfinished bridge, following the lead of Google Maps while commuting. 

The incident happened as two brothers were going to Dataganj and was directed towards a bridge over the Ramganga River which had been broken in a flood earlier, According to the outdated Google Maps instructions car fell fifty feet into the river, and there was a total of three people in the car, all of them died as the car was discovered later on by some villagers. 

The incident has sparked outrage among the victims’ families, who criticized local authorities for the absence of safety measures. “Why was the bridge left incomplete without proper barricades to warn motorists? This is negligence,” one family member said. They are demanding an investigation and have called for an FIR against the construction department.

A local police official revealed that a section of the bridge was damaged during last year’s floods. 

The Circle Officer emphasized the absence of essential safety measures, such as barriers and warning signs, on the under-construction bridge, which could have potentially prevented the tragic incident.

Google’s response

Following the tragedy, a Google spokesperson extended condolences, stating, “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families. We are working closely with authorities and fully supporting the investigation.”

The incident has sparked renewed discussions about the reliability of navigation apps and the shared responsibility between technology providers and local infrastructure management. 

While Google Maps is a trusted tool for navigation, experts caution users to remain vigilant, particularly in unfamiliar or poorly marked areas.

This unfortunate event underscores the risks posed by incomplete infrastructure and the lack of adequate signage, especially in rural or under-construction locations. Local authorities have yet to clarify why proper safety measures were not implemented at the site.

Reports also say that an executive has been questioned by the Google Maps office by the government public works department.