At least 26 people died, and several were missing after an overcrowded speedboat collided with a sand-laden bulk carrier and capsized in Bangladesh's giant Padma River on Monday, police said.

"Rescuers found 26 dead bodies, and some still could be missing," said Miraj Hossain, a senior police officer of the central Madaripur district, where the accident occurred.

Five people were rescued and sent to hospital, he said.

Experts blame poor maintenance, lax safety standards at shipyards, and overcrowding for many of the accidents.

In early April, more than 30 people died when a packed ferry with around 50 passengers hurrying home from the central city of Narayanganj ahead of an impending coronavirus lockdown collided with a larger cargo vessel.