Bangladesh boat capsize tragedy
People look on from an overcrowded passenger boat navigating through the Buriganga River in Dhaka Andrew Biraj/Reuters file photo

The bodies of two women have been recovered after a ferry carrying more than 250 people capsized in the river Padma in Bangladesh.

At least 100 people have been rescued so far while the others are still missing.

Many passengers are thought to have been travelling atop the ferry when it capsized.

Most of the passengers were returning to Dhaka after celebrating Eid-al Fitr.

The MV Pinak-6 sank in strong currents in the middle of the river near Munshinganj district, about 30km from the capital Dhaka.

A rescue vessel which was pressed into service is looking for victims of the ferry disaster.

Local reports quoted survivors as saying that there were no life boats or life jackets.

"Divers of the fire service and Navy are on their way as well. I came to know that Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan has also started for Munshignaj," local government official Saiful Islam told the BDNews24.

Ferry accidents in Bangladesh which has a vast river network are not uncommon due to overcrowding and poor condition of vessels.