They are often used interchangeably in modern informal speech, but in this case, "because of" may be a somewhat safer choice. Technically, some people consider "due" here to be a predicate adjective that should follow some form of the verb to be. So they would approve of its use in, for example, "Our decision to stay home was due to the bad weather". Having said that, not everybody thinks this distinction is either useful or active any more.

the school has been closed due to an outbreak of cholera" we talk about school (non-livin thing) he missed his plane because of a punctere" we talk about people (living being)

I think is more academic due to is like cause and because is the effect.

No difference.