Google Maps error leads to tragedy: 4 feared dead as car plunges into Rajasthan river

Jaipur: A car carrying nine members of the same family plunged into the Banas River in Rajasthan's Chittorgarh district after the driver followed alternate directions suggested by Google Maps, resulting in a tragic accident late Tuesday night. The incident occurred on the Upreda–Somi road in the Rashmi area. Despite repeated warnings from policemen stationed nearby not to cross due to the forceful current, the driver relied on Google Maps and took the family onto a dilapidated bridge, which was damaged in several places. The car became stuck and was quickly swept away by the strong river current.

Five people were rescued, but two women and two girls were swept away. By Wednesday, rescue teams had recovered the bodies of both women and one girl, while the search for the other missing girl continues. The victims belonged to the Gadari community of Kana Kheda village in Rashmi and had been returning from a religious visit to Sawai Bhoj in Bhilwara district. The family had stopped for dinner at a relative's house before resuming their journey home.

Authorities said that the tragedy highlights the dangers of relying solely on digital navigation tools rather than heeding ground alerts, especially during monsoon season when river crossings can become treacherous. The local administration reiterated appeals to residents not to attempt river crossings during high water flow and not to trust navigation apps for routes traversing flood-affected areas.

The accident has cast a pall of gloom over the Gadari community, with continued rescue efforts underway and renewed calls for greater caution and situational awareness when using digital maps in rural and flood-prone regions.

With inputs from IANS