3 Die in UP After Google Maps Allegedly Guides onto Unfinished Bridge

A tragic accident in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, claimed the lives of three friends who were misled by Google Maps while returning from a wedding. The trio—Nitin (30), Ajit (35), and Amit—were driving at night on an incomplete bridge over the Ramganga River and plunged into the water.

The three friends had set their destination to Faridpur, relying on Google Maps for directions. The navigation guided them onto a bridge marked as complete on the app. Unaware of its incomplete status due to poor visibility, the car drove off the unfinished section and fell into the river.

The police recovered mobile phones and other belongings from the vehicle, including a security company ID card identifying one of the victims.

The bridge, located over the Ramganga River, had been under construction for two years. During floods, a section of the approach road was eroded by the river, rendering the bridge unusable. Despite this, no barriers or warning signs were installed to prevent vehicles from accessing the incomplete structure. A wall initially erected to block entry had also collapsed over time.

Google Maps inaccurately displayed the bridge’s status as complete, mislead the travelers. This discrepancy, combined with the site’s lack of safety measures, proved fatal for the three friends.

The family members who reached the post-mortem house said that the victims were relying on Google Maps. They also blamed the departmental officials because the bridge was left incomplete and there was no barricading around the area to caution the incoming vehicles.