Chinese investigators to visit Brisbane to help in search for man who allegedly burned baby with coffee

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

China’s 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 dumped a Thermos of coffee on nine-month-old boy Luka at a Brisbane park on 27 August 2024, before fleeing to his home country.

_{Sign up: AU Breaking News email}

Luka suffered horrific burns to his chest, neck and face and endured eight surgeries, including grafts and laser treatments.

Baby Luka after he was attacked with hot coffee in 2024

Minutes after police discovered the man’s identity and released CCTV images of him, 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’m not sure if I should announce this at this moment, but there’s going to be a working group from China coming to Brisbane,” Xiao said.

“We’re now preparing for the working group to come, so we are serious in addressing this concern, and we’re serious in taking the necessary actions.”

Xiao said the team will work with Australian police to “see what exactly happened, how it happened, and how both sides can work together as a follow-up”.

Australian federal police have been working with Chinese authorities since the alleged attacker left the country on 31 August 2024.

There is no extradition treaty between Australia and China.

Queensland police service and Australian federal police said they are supportive of the delegation visiting Brisbane.