The Victoria police in Australia issued a stern warning Monday urging iPhone users to stop using Apple's Maps app in iOS 6 after having to rescue several people who became stranded thanks to the flawed program.

Since its release, Apple's less-than-perfect iOS 6 mapping tool has irked users, been mocked on Tumblr, and made fun of on late-night TV, but now the software has a new detractor: the police.

The Victoria police in Australia issued a stern warning Monday urging iPhone users to stop using Apple's Maps app in iOS 6 after having to rescue several people who became stranded thanks to the flawed program. Police said they have been called to rescue of a number of distressed motorists over the past several weeks who got lost in Australia's Murray-Sunset National Park after following directions on their iPhone.

The police tested out the mapping system and found that it lists the Australian city of Mildura in the middle of the Murray Sunset National Park, approximately 43 miles away from the actual location of Mildura. Police have contacted Apple about the issue, though they did not say whether Cupertino is working on a fix.

Police warned that they are "extremely concerned," as there is no water supply within the park, and temperatures can reach as high as 114.8 degrees Fahrenheit, "making this a potentially life threatening issue." Some of the people saved by police had been stranded for up to 24 hours without any food or water. Others walked long distances through dangerous terrain to try to get phone reception and find their way out.

"Anyone traveling to Mildura or other locations within Victoria should rely on other forms of mapping until this matter is rectified," police said.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the issue. The company back in September for the performance of its Maps app, and even encouraged users to look into competitive offerings in the interim. Apple has over the much-maligned program.

As for alternatives, Nokia recently released its HERE mapping app for iOS, while Google has beefed up the browser-based version of its Maps app. Google is reportedly working on a full iOS app version of Google Maps, but has not yet made any announcements.

Update: Apple on Monday updated its Maps app following widespread coverage of the problem, The Guardian reported. Mildura is still labeled incorrectly on the map, though navigations directions will reportedly send you to the town's actual location.