APRIL 13, 2026 — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is working alongside Panamanian agencies to assess the Bridge of the Americas following a tanker explosion, reinforcing a shared commitment to public safety and infrastructure resilience.
The incident prompted an immediate, coordinated response from the Panamanian government and the U.S. Embassy to evaluate potential structural impacts and ensure the safety of the surrounding community. Members of USACE arrived less than 60 hours after the incident to provide immediate support.
“April 6th the explosion occurred under the Bridge of the Americas in Panama, and the Army Corps of Engineers is here to assess the damage,” said Johnny Lee, Lead Structural Engineer, assigned to USACE, Mobile District. Engineering teams quickly began initial assessments, focusing on identifying visible damage and determining the bridge’s structural integrity. “The purpose of our assessment today is to support the Ministry of Public Works [of] Panama and to offer our expertise.”
The response effort highlights the strength of the U.S.-Panama partnership, with both nations working side by side to share expertise, resources and capabilities.
“The USACE is able to respond quickly and help out our partner nations in any emergency,” said Lee. “With both our expertise and theirs we’re able to work hand-in-hand and solve the problem.”
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel are supporting detailed inspections, evaluating potential risks such as heat exposure, stress to key structural components and overall stability of the bridge.
“We just want to get our eyes on it and see the level of damage that may have been caused,” Lee said. “This type of assessment helps by lending our expertise in validating their concerns and validating their conclusion.”
Teams are using specialized assessment tools and engineering methods to determine the condition of the bridge and inform next steps. Officials noted that timelines for a full assessment will depend on the extent of any damage identified.
“It takes great collaboration and proven technical skillsets to assess structures for damage,” said Capt. Chad Perkins, Officer in Charge, assigned to the 322nd Forward Engineer Support Team-Alpha. “We provide technical assessment, visual inspections to detect internal or surface damage and tools to investigate the depth of the damage with measurable conditions.”
Following the assessment, a coordinated effort from the engineers, U.S. Embassy Panama City, and partner agencies will reconvene to discuss the way forward with Panama’s Ministry of Public Works, leveraging the additional information compiled by the team of experts.
“It’s significant that we proceed correctly,” Perkins said. “Continuing to build partnership and commitment goes a long way.”
Officials emphasized that the joint response not only addresses immediate concerns but also strengthens long-term cooperation and interoperability between the United States and Panama.
Story by Spc. Trey Woodard
U.S. Southern Command