The first image of 30 Vietnamese citizens returning from Wuhan - the epicentre of the coronavirus (nCoV) outbreak at Vân Đồn International Airport in Quảng Ninh Province. — VNA/VNS Photos Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — A total of 30 Vietnamese citizens have returned to the country from Wuhan – the epicentre of the novel coronavirus (nCoV) outbreak on a special flight in the early morning of February 10.

At 5.04am on the morning of February 10, the flight carrying 30 Vietnamese citizens, accompanied by 15 crew members and three health officials, landed at Vân Đồn International Airport in northern Quảng Ninh Province.

The citizens were studying, living and visiting the city of Wuhan in China’s Hubei Province where the nCoV epidemic originally broke out at a seafood market in late December. 

The city has been under lockdown.

Vietnamese citizens carry out entry procedures at Vân Đồn International Airport.

The special flight was planned by the Vietnamese Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Beijing-based Vietnam Embassy as an effort to evacuate Vietnamese residents from the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus.

After the plane landed, medical staff sprayed disinfectant around the airport. Returning citizens have underwent medical examinations.

All passengers, including an eight-month pregnant woman, are in a stable health condition.  

They have been transported to the Tropical Disease Hospital in Đông Anh District’s Kim Chung Commune for a 14-day isolation period.

The plane, belonging to national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, had transported medical equipment and supplies from the Vietnamese Government and the Vietnam Red Cross to China. It had helped bring 11 Chinese citizens back to Wuhan.

By February 10, the total number of deaths due to the nCoV in China was reported at 910, but the number of newly-infected people per day has reportedly stabilised.

According to the latest figures from China, 40,552 are infected in the country and 3,342 have recovered and been discharged from hospital. — VNS

Medical staff spray disinfectant around the airport.