Belarus Ryanair flight diverted: Passengers describe panic on board

Passengers on board a Ryanair flight that was suddenly diverted as it began its descent into Vilnius, Lithuania, have described their panic as they changed course with no explanation.

Flight FR4978 was bound for Lithuania from Greece when it was forced to switch direction for the Belarusian capital Minsk on Sunday so the authorities there could arrest dissident journalist Roman Protasevich, 26.

The pilot announced the emergency diversion, but provided no details. 

The plane was then accompanied by a fighter jet that had been scrambled to guide it to Minsk.

In the moments beforehand, everything had been calm and nothing had appeared out of the ordinary.