2 French tourists cycling to Nepal end up in Bareilly due to Google Maps shortcut

The duo, who had flown from France to Delhi, were navigating their journey to Kathmandu via Tanakpur in Pilibhit district when they lost their way. Baheri Circle Officer Arun Kumar Singh explained, “Both foreigners were misled by Google Maps in the dark. The app showed them a shortcut via Baheri in Bareilly, which caused them to get lost and reach Churaili Dam.” The situation came to light around 11 pm when local villagers spotted the French nationals cycling on a deserted road.

Two French tourists, Brian Jacques Gilbert and Sebastian Francois Gabriel, attempting to travel from Delhi to Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, found themselves stranded in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly after following a shortcut suggested by Google Maps. The incident occurred late Thursday night near the Churaili Dam area, according to a report by PTI.

The duo, who had flown from France to Delhi, were navigating their journey to Kathmandu via Tanakpur in Pilibhit district when they lost their way. Baheri Circle Officer Arun Kumar Singh explained, “Both foreigners were misled by Google Maps in the dark. The app showed them a shortcut via Baheri in Bareilly, which caused them to get lost and reach Churaili Dam.”

The situation came to light around 11 pm when local villagers spotted the French nationals cycling on a deserted road. Unable to communicate with them due to the language barrier and concerned for their safety, the villagers escorted them to the Churaili police outpost.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anurag Arya was informed of the matter and instructed officers to assist the tourists in reaching their destination.

The incident has drawn parallels to a fatal accident in Bareilly in November 2022, when three people lost their lives after their car plunged into the Ramganga River from an under-construction bridge. The victims were using a GPS navigation app that directed them onto the incomplete bridge, which lacked safety barriers or warning signs.

Dense fog further obscured visibility, leaving the driver unable to spot the danger ahead. Police noted that the car was being driven at high speed, compounding the severity of the accident.