India, June 24 -- At least 23 pilgrims were injured after a mini bus carrying devotees skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, officials said.

The accident occurred near Dingi Simbli on the Dhar Road in Billawar when the pilgrims were travelling to the revered Mata Sukrala Devi Temple. The devotees belonged to Goran and Sumb villages in Samba district.

Following the mishap, local residents rushed to the spot and launched rescue efforts before police and emergency teams joined the operation. The injured passengers were evacuated from the gorge and shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Officials said all 23 injured pilgrims are receiving medical care, while four of them are reported to b...