In connection with a fatal accident that occurred when three men’s car fell from an under-construction bridge in Bareilly, four engineers and an unidentified Google Maps official have been booked, according to a police officer.
The incident took place when the victims, brothers Nitin and Ajit, both 30, and their relative Amit, 40, were on their way from Noida to Faridpur in Bareilly to attend a wedding. The trio’s vehicle, following directions from Google Maps, was led onto an unfinished bridge that had a section destroyed by earlier flood damage. The bridge lacked barriers or warning signs, leading the car to plunge into the Ramganga River from the partially constructed bridge in the Dataganj Police Station area early Sunday morning.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed under section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) against two Assistant Engineers and two Junior Engineers of the Public Works Department (PWD), as well as “unknown persons.” The FIR also names an unnamed Google Maps official, who remains under investigation.
Budaun District Magistrate Nidhi Srivastava confirmed the filing of the FIR and added, "Apart from corrective measures at the site, FIR under section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the BNS has been registered against 2 Assistant Engineers and 2 Junior Engineers of PWD and known persons."
According to police sources, the Google Maps application directed the driver to the bridge, which had already been partially destroyed by flooding earlier in the year. Faridpur Circle Officer Asshutosh Shivam explained that the damage, which had not been updated in the system, caused the accident.
"We are investigating how Google Maps led the driver to the spot, despite the changes at the bridge," Shivam said.
A Google spokesperson extended condolences to the families of the victims and stated their cooperation with the authorities. "Our deepest sympathies go out to the families. We’re working closely with the authorities and providing our support to investigate the issue," the spokesperson said.
Following the tragedy, Srivastava ordered that all roads and bridges in the area be inspected by the PWD and Setu Nigam to ensure that similar accidents are prevented in the future.
(Source: Times of India)
BD-Pratidin English/Mazdud
