A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a Brisbane bus driver who was set alight in a horrific daylight attack.
Manmeet Alisher, 29, was killed when an "incendiary device" was thrown at him while he was letting passengers on at Moorooka on Friday morning.
A 48-year-old man was charged with murder, arson and eleven counts of attempted murder late on Friday night.
He appeared briefly in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday and will remain in custody until his case returns to court in late November.
Mr Alisher was burned alive as passengers, including children, screamed and fought to escape the inferno.
He was employed as a casual bus driver and had only been working in the job for several months.
Hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects to Mr Alisher, who was a prominent figure and beloved singer in the Punjabi community, on Friday night.
Another vigil has been organised for Saturday evening and flags will be flown half-mast at council facilities on Saturday as a sign of respect.
Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said there is nothing to suggest that the attack was racially motivated.
Manmeet Alisher performing at a community concert. (Facebook) Source: Facebook
The Australian High Commission in New Delhi is reportedly arranging an emergency visa for Mr Alisher's brother Amit so he can travel to Australia and repatriate the body.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted.
'A short yet meaningful life': Vigil planned for slain bus driver Manmeet Alisher
Family, friends and locals will pay their respects to a bus driver who was burnt to death, at a vigil in Brisbane's south.
The vigil has been organised for 5.30pm on Saturday at Luxworth Place, Beaudesert Rd, Moorooka.
Manmeet Alisher, a 29-year-old Indian immigrant, was killed when an "incendiary device" was thrown at him while he was letting passengers on at Moorooka on Friday morning.
Manmeet Sharma hailed from Alisher, a small town near Lehragaga in Sangrur Dist of Punjab, India. He had been living in Brisbane over the last few years, according to Brisbane's Punjabi community.
Relative and friend Aman Bhangu told SBS Punjabi Radio he was an "outgoing, lively person who enjoyed his short yet meaningful life. He will surely be remembered for his beautiful smile and the work he did for social causes.”
He was popular within the Punjabi community in Australia as a singer. It was also understood he had a passion for poetry and singing.
Preet Siyan a local Punjabi singer who shared the stage with him, described him as “a man with heart.
"It is a big loss to family friends and the local community. He was a great poet and singer. He will be dearly missed.”
While Gurjant, a Punjabi community member, said Mr Alisher was "such a lively, vivacious, intelligent man".
Local councillor Steve Griffiths posted a message on his Facebook page, saying the vigil was not only to pay respect to Mr Alisher but to those affected.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the driver was a casual worker who had only been employed for a few months.
Mr Quirk said flags would be flown half-mast at council facilities on Saturday as a sign of respect.
Police Commissioner Ian Stewart says counter-terrorism authorities are involved in a homicide investigation but he there is nothing so far to suggest terrorism-related links.
Manmeet Alisher stood 'little chance' of survival
The 29-year-old Brisbane bus driver was set on fire as he sat at the wheel in an attack that's left police, witnesses and workmates reeling.
Mr Alisher was a prominent figure in the Punjabi community in Australia.
The news of his death was shared by the Punjabi community on social media.
Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart has said there is nothing to suggest the attack was racially motivated.
"We do not believe at this stage that there is any evidence linking this to a racial complaint or concern by either of the people involved."
Mr Stewart said six passengers on the bus were taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation and minor injuries.
He paid tribute to the heroic actions of a taxi driver who saw what was happening on the bus and kicked in the rear door of the burning bus, allowing them to escape.
"While we don't know the actual motives at this stage, I want to reassure the community that we take these incidents very seriously and that is why, as a precaution, officers from the State Security and Counter Terrorism Group have also been involved in this investigation," he told reporters.
The man's horrific death was likely captured on cameras installed on Brisbane City Council busses.
The crime played out in full view of horrified onlookers and just four weeks after the state government finally announced a review aimed at halting escalating attacks on bus drivers.
Mr Stewart appealed to anyone who might have footage of the attack to come forward. He said witnesses had been traumatised by what they saw.
A witness at the crime scene took this video of fire crews extinguishing the bus fire in Moorooka. @ABCNewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/tkNF0V1pCA — Casey Briggs (@CaseyBriggs) October 28, 2016
Taxi driver Aguek Nyok, who kicked out the back door of the bus as it stood burning at the bus stop, is being hailed a hero for saving passengers, including children and their terrified mothers.
But there was nothing he could do to help the driver, who was hired by the council as a casual driver just a few months ago.
Veteran police Superintendent Jim Keogh says the attack appears random and without motive.
"The fire was substantial, he (the driver) would have stood little chance," he said.
"Words escape me. It's a horrific incident."
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said this week had been one of tragedy for Queensland, with the attack coming just a few days after four people died on a ride at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast.
She said the horrific nature of the driver's death was difficult to comprehend, and like the Dreamworld tragedy, there were witnesses who would need help to get over what they'd seen.
"I know that all the thoughts of Queenslanders are with this young man's family," she told reporters.
Flags at council buildings will be flown at half mast on Saturday as a mark of respect.
The taxi driver credited with saving terrified passengers has told of his confusion after coming across the blazing bus.
Mr Nyok began kicking frantically at a back door when he heard people screaming to get out.
"I thought the driver would open the door for them but nah, I stood a few seconds and nothing was happening so I decided to do something about it," he told the Nine Network.
"Everyone was shaking ... I was just holding the door until the last one got out."
Witness Clair Savage said the cabbie was a hero.
"I just said to him 'you just saved people's lives'," she said.
The passengers have been treated for smoke inhalation and shock and Supt Keogh said they were visibly traumatised.
