Kerala – A German couple’s visit to a homestay near the forests in a Kerala village took an unexpected turn when they were led astray by a Google Maps error, ultimately arriving at the wrong house in Erumely.
Julian and Laureen, the tourists in question, found themselves lost and stranded due to an incorrect listing on Google Maps. Their intended destination was Haneefa Homes near the forests, but the confusion arose as they reached Mohammed Shameer’s house in Erumeli Tumarampara instead, after searching for the school.
Local residents, unable to communicate effectively with the tourists, sought assistance from ward member Binoy Elavumkal to resolve the mix-up. Mohammed Shameer clarified that his residence was mistakenly marked as “Haneefa’s Homestay” on Google Maps, leading to the navigation blunder.
Binoy Elavumkal, the panchayat member, has taken on the responsibility of rectifying the homestay tag on Haneefa’s address in Google Maps to prevent future incidents of misdirection.
This incident recalls a similar occurrence in January in Gudalur, Tamil Nadu, where an SUV driver, relying on Google Maps directions, found himself stuck on a steep flight of stairs in a residential area. Local residents and police assisted in safely maneuvering the SUV back to the main road, highlighting the importance of caution when following digital navigation.
