Six people have died in storms and dozens left injured in Croatia and the Balkans after strong winds and heavy rain hammered the region in the wake of Europe’s heatwave.

As some Brits race to cancel holidays to the continent, those who are due to visit Croatia may now be wondering whether their trip can go ahead at all.

Wildfires have torn through Croatia, Spain and Greece, with hundreds of tourists evacuated.

The latest storm is the second in two days to hit the Balkans including Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and Slovenia, and was triggered by the intense Cerberus heatwave followed by a second, dubbed Charon – and authorities are warning that more storms will follow.

So if you’re due to travel to Croatia, is your trip likely to be cancelled – and what are your rights if you decide not to go?

Here’s all you need to know.

Will my trip to Croatia be cancelled?

At present, the Foreign Office is not advising against trips to Croatia, so you can expect them to go ahead.

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But, that said, individual tour operators are free to make their own decisions on whether trips are cancelled.

The intense heat in southern Europe – particularly Greece – has seen trannsport disruption and certain motorways closed as authorities battle out-of-control wildfires as temperatures soared into the 40s.

Some people already on holiday have chosen to fly home early, while others describe being stuck in hotel rooms due to the extreme weather.

Storms and heatwaves are likely to impact flights, and can lead to cancellations and diversions, so if you’re travelling soon it’s vital to check your flight status with your airline.

Can I get my money back?

If your tour operator or airline cancels, then yes, you should be able to. But it’s not guaranteed if you decide to cancel a trip due to extreme heat or weather.

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Most insurance policy claims will only pay out on a trip cancellation under certain circumstances, such as illness, a family bereavement or an exceptionally long delay in travel.

Likewise, airlines are not under any obligation to refund you if you cancel a trip due to factors beyond their control.

You can check the latest Foreign Office updates for travel to Croatia online.

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