Google Maps shortcut leaves Bihar family stranded in Karnataka’s dense jungle

A family traveling from Bihar to Goa endured a harrowing night stranded in the dense Bheemgad forest area of Khanapur, Karnataka’s Belagavi district, after relying on Google Maps for navigation.
The ordeal began when the mapping application directed them to a shorter route through the forest near Shiroli and Hemmadaga. Unaware of the risks, the family ventured around eight kilometers into the rugged terrain.
However, they soon found themselves in a challenging situation, with no mobile network coverage and no clear path to exit the forest.
Despite repeated efforts to find their way out, the family was forced to spend the night in their car, surrounded by the forest’s intimidating wilderness.
At dawn, desperate for help, they walked approximately 4 kilometers to find a location with mobile network coverage. They successfully contacted the emergency helpline 112, prompting a swift response from local police.
Authorities located the stranded family and safely escorted them out of the forest.
Last month, three people died after their Google Maps wrongly led their car to an under-construction bridge, with the vehicle plunging into a river in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district.
The incident took place when Vivek and Amit, began their journey from Gurugram and were headed to Bareilly to attend a wedding. The men were relying on Google Maps to reach the venue when their GPS led them to the unfinished flyover. The car travelled on the bridge and fell into the Ramganga, a shallow river, from a height of 50 feet.