TRAVEL SAFETY
Is it safe to travel to Majorca and can I cancel my holiday because of the floods?
THE Spanish island of Majorca has been hit by flash flooding, with at least nine people killed – including a British couple.
Shocking images and videos show cars being swept through city streets and homes submerged.
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British holidaymakers who had been getting ready to fly out to the island for some autumn sunshine are now questioning whether it is safe for them to go and wondering if they should cancel their holidays.
Is it safe to travel to Majorca?
Most of the damage from the flash flooding has taken place in and around the town of Sant Llorenc des Cardassar to the east of the island, which is not a particularly touristy area - although it is close to the villa where Love Island is filmed.
Many roads to Sant Llorenç still remain cut off today due to debris that was dragged through the town by the fast-flowing water, however, main roads on the island are clear.
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Holidaymakers are also being advised to stay off the beach in certain areas, after eyewitnesses saw water from the drains flood out to the coast,
and several cars were also reported to have been dragged into the sea in Colònia de Sant Pere, in Artà.
But these towns are on the opposite side of the island to Palma.
The Foreign Office today said they were "urgently seeking updates" from Spanish authorities after news of their deaths broke this morning.
They urged Brits on the island to follow the advice of local authorities and to call the consulate if they were in need of urgent help.
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The Government of the Balearic Islands also asked the Emergency Military Unit to provide additional help - 90 soldiers and 100 rescue workers have been dispatched to assist.
Can I cancel my holiday to Majorca?
British Airways' parent company IAG has today warned holidaymakers flying in and out of Majorca of delays, but flights are said to be operating as usual.
A spokesperson said: "As further heavy rains are expected over the next 24 hours, travellers are advised to anticipate continued disruptions."
Thomas Cook has sought to reassure any customers heading out to the island this week that it is business as usual.
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They told Sun Online Travel: “All hotels are fully operating at the moment.
“There were some small temporary power cuts and an impact on bus transfers last night, but everything is back to normal.
“Customers are urged to get in touch if they have any concerns though.”
Anyone looking to change their hotel or holiday let bookings are unlikely to secure much of a refund.
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The only time that hotels are required to give a refund is if the Foreign Office changes its travel advice for a region and turns it into a no-go
area, which they are extremely unlikely to do in this case.
If the hotel is a large chain, it could be worth asking to change your stay to another location but they are under no obligation to grant this.
Holidaymakers will also be unable to claim a refund through their travel insurance policy either.
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