Tourists begged NOT to use Google Maps to find ‘hidden beaches’ as too many had to be rescued

TOURISTS are being warned to avoid using Google Maps when travelling on the island of Sardinia after the number of beach rescues have soared. More than a hundred travellers have been rescued after attempting to find some of the island’s “hidden beaches,” only to end up on dangerous cliff edges. Sardinia is famed for its […]

TOURISTS are being warned to avoid using Google Maps when travelling on the island of Sardinia after the number of beach rescues have soared.

More than a hundred travellers have been rescued after attempting to find some of the island’s “hidden beaches,” only to end up on dangerous cliff edges.

Sardinia is famed for its white sand coves and stunning stretches of sand, especially in the Ogliastra region.

Local authorities in the east of the island have issued the warning after having to rescue 144 vehicles in the past two years.

Emergency services and the fire brigade are regularly called out to rescue the cars which find themselves stuck on some of the dirt tracks.

One family who were travelling in a Porsche were forced to be saved after nearly falling from a plunging cliff in Ogliastra, according to CNN.

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With many of the rescues funded by the island, not by tourists, authorities are now putting up signs advising visitors to not use the directions of Google Maps.

Pictures of the signs show warning symbols and the Google Maps logo with “NO” written above it”.

It also says some tracks should only be driven through by 4×4 cars.

Baunei Mayor Salvatore Corrias told CNN that the signs are in both English and Italian, warning of the road tracks.

He said Google Maps were “misleading” drivers and often took cars on “unpassable tracks”.

A Google Maps spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: “We’re aware of an issue in Sardinia where Google Maps is routing some drivers down roads that can be difficult to navigate due to their terrain.

“We’re currently working with the local government to resolve the issue, and are investigating ways we can better alert drivers about these types of roads.”

A number of drivers found themselves stuck in a muddy field after an “airport shortcut” on Google Maps was impassable.

In 2017, a Google Maps glitch resulted in Australian tourists sent to a boring suburb instead of the beautiful Blue Mountains.