India to take up burning of popular singer cum bus driver with Australian govt

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said India will take up at the highest level of Australian government the immolation of an Indian-origin bus driver in Brisbane.

"We will take this up at the highest level in the Australian Government. Our heartfelt condolences. @officeofssbadal @HarsimratBadal_," Swaraj said on Twitter.

In a horrific incident, a 29-year-old Indian-origin bus driver was on Friday burnt to death when a man hurled an incendiary device device at him in front of several shocked passengers in Brisbane city.

Manmeet Alisher, a well-known singer in the Punjabi community, was driving a Brisbane City Council bus when he was targeted by the man who threw an "incendiary device" at him which sparked a fire.

Alisher died on the spot while several passengers on board the bus at the time managed to escape through the rear door.

Australian Police superintendent Jim Keogh had told reporters "it's a horrific incident here in the quiet suburb of Moorooka."

"A bus driver, going about, doing his business, supporting the community, has had his life taken from him in what is a senseless and needless act."

A 48-year-old suspect was arrested at the bus stop and placed in custody.

Bystanders kicked down the back doors of the municipal bus to rescue passengers, who were "traumatised" by the incident, Keogh said.

"It's lucky the whole bus didn't become engulfed in flames," Keogh said.

Around half-a-dozen passengers were aboard the vehicle and some were treated for smoke inhalation.