It's reported a ferry with at least 200 people on board has capsized off the coast of Bangladesh.

Around 40 passengers have been rescued from the vessel.

The army's been drafted in to help in the rescue operation.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority Chairman Samsuddoha Khondaker said the accident took place as the ferry was crossing the River Padma in Munshiganj district in the central part of the country.

Khondaker says not many details were known yet about the cause of the accident or if there were many survivors.

Ferry accidents are common in Bangladesh due to poor safety standards for the vessels, which are often overloaded.