At least 23 people died and dozens are missing after a boat carrying passengers sank on Sunday, the latest tragedy on Bangladesh's waterways, Reuters reported.

Among the bodies found were women and children, said Jahurul Islam, district administrator of the northern Panchagarh, where the accident occurred.

"The rescue operation for those missing is ongoing," he said.

Islam said he did not know the exact number of people missing, but passengers said more than 70 people were on board.

Hundreds of people die each year in ferry accidents in Bangladesh, a low-lying country with extensive inland waterways but poor safety standards.

At least 26 people died in May after an overcrowded speedboat collided with a sand-laden bulk carrier and sank on the Padma River.