Google Maps wrongly showed many major motorways in Germany as closed just as millions began traveling for the Ascension Day holiday. The false closures appeared on key routes near Frankfurt, Hamburg, Berlin, and other parts of western and central Germany. The issue also affected some areas in Belgium and the Netherlands, adding to travel confusion.

The app displayed red stop-sign icons that made drivers believe highways were blocked. Many drivers avoided main roads and took smaller routes instead, causing heavy traffic jams on secondary roads. Police and traffic centers were flooded with calls from drivers asking for help or alternate routes.

Drivers using other navigation apps like Apple Maps or Waze found most roads were open and traffic moved smoothly. Radio traffic reports also showed a different picture from Google Maps. This difference led to frustration and confusion among travelers, with many sharing their concerns on social media.

Google has not yet explained why the false closure signs appeared. A spokesperson said the company is investigating after user reports. Google has begun removing the wrong alerts but has not shared more details. The company said its traffic data comes from a mix of third-party services, public agencies, and users. Updates happen continuously but can sometimes be slow or inaccurate.