According to the Straits Times on November 26, the incident occurred on November 24. Indian media reported that the victims were traveling from Noida town to Bareilly city in Uttar Pradesh state to attend a wedding. Some sources said they were on their way home after the wedding.

Car falls into river, killing 3 Indians after following Google Maps - Video source: NDTV

:The victims followed Google Maps' directions to an unfinished bridge. The car plunged 15m into the Ramganga river, according to the Times of India.

The car was deformed after the collision and the three unfortunate victims were trapped inside. People in Allapur village discovered the incident on the morning of November 24 and reported it to the police.

"At around 9.30 am on November 24, we received a report about a damaged car found in the Ramganga river. Our team found a Wagon R, suspected to be a taxi, had fallen off the unfinished bridge. The bodies of the victims have been recovered and sent for autopsy," a police spokesperson was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.

All three men were pronounced dead at the scene. Two of them were identified as brothers Nitin and Ajit, both 30, and the third as Amit, 40.

Police officer Ashutosh Shivam said the front part of the bridge collapsed into the river due to flooding this year, but Google Maps had not yet reflected the change. He also said there were no signs or directions on the bridge.

Outraged by the incident, families of the victims and residents in the area have criticised the Public Works Department and local authorities for not closing the unfinished bridge.

"The officials are responsible for this negligence. Why was the bridge left unfinished and why were no safety measures taken?" a relative of the victims told the Hindustan Times, demanding an official inquiry.

Four engineers from the Department of Public Works and a Google Maps employee are working with police to investigate the incident.

A Google spokesperson said in a statement: "We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. We are working closely with authorities and assisting in their investigation."