Misled by navigation app, T.N. man drives car into sea

A young man from Chennai, travelling with a gang of friends, drove a car into the sea near Sothikuppam coast in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu while following directions on navigation application, in the early hours on Thursday (September 11, 2025). All of them were later rescued by the local fishermen.

Police said the car had five occupants including two women. The driver of the group that was travelling from Cuddalore Port to Parangipettai in a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), took a wrong turn after being guided by a popular navigation application and reached the Sothikuppam beach. The driver then drove the SUV into the sea.

Though the occupants in the car managed to get out, the vehicle remained stuck in the sea. With the help of a tractor, fishermen retrieved the car from the sea.

Police said the group was in an inebriated state and was let off with a warning.