Chinese investigators to search for man who burnt baby

A Chinese team will visit Australia to help search for a man who randomly attacked a baby with hot coffee before fleeing the country.

Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian announced on Wednesday that investigators will travel to Queensland to work with police to investigate the 33-year-old accused attacker.

The stranger allegedly spilled a thermos of coffee on nine-month-old boy Luka in a park in Brisbane on August 27, 2024, before fleeing to his hometown.

Luka suffered horrific burns to his chest, neck and face and underwent eight surgeries, including organ transplants and laser treatments.

Minutes after police identified the man and released the CCTV footage, they learned he had flown to China 12 hours earlier.

Speaking in Canberra on Wednesday, the Chinese ambassador said a “working group” would travel to Brisbane to investigate the incident.

“I don’t know if I should announce this right now, but there will be a working group coming to Brisbane from China,” Mr Xiao said.

“We are currently preparing for the next working group, so we are serious about addressing this concern and we are serious about taking the necessary precautions.”

Mr Xiao said the team would work with Australian police to “see exactly what happened, how it happened and how both parties can work together in pursuit”.

Australian Federal Police have been working with Chinese authorities since the alleged attacker fled the country on August 31, 2024.

There is no extradition agreement between Australia and China.

The Queensland Police Service and the Australian Federal Police said they supported the delegation visiting Brisbane.