Three men die after navigation app directs car onto damaged bridge in India
Three men died in Uttar Pradesh, India when their car, guided by Google Maps, drove onto a bridge that had been damaged by floods earlier that year. The bridge damage was not reflected in Google Maps' data, and there were no warning signs or barricades at the site. Police are investigating the incident and have named engineers and a Google Maps official in a culpable homicide complaint.
What happened
A car navigated using Google Maps drove onto a damaged bridge and fell approximately 50 feet into the Ramganga river in Faridpur, Badaun district, Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. The front portion of the bridge had collapsed earlier that year due to floods, but this change had not been updated in Google Maps, leaving the driver unaware of the danger. There were no barricades or warning signs on the unfinished bridge to caution incoming vehicles.
Reported impact
Three men, including two brothers, died in the accident. Two victims were identified as Vivek Kumar and Amit of Farrukhabad; the third victim's identity was not disclosed at the time of reporting.
Index analysis
Police believe Google Maps directed the group to take the route that led to the damaged bridge. According to the Circle Officer, the driver was misled because the bridge's structural damage had not been updated in the GPS system.
Governance controls
Authorities named four engineers from the state's road department and an unnamed Google Maps official in a police complaint on charges of culpable homicide. Family members blamed the negligence of the administration for leaving the bridge incomplete and uncordoned. Google stated it was cooperating with authorities and providing support to investigate the issue.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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