Lethal heatwave leaves more than 1300 people dead, mainly in Athens

1987 was a turning point for the modern way of living. The unprecedented heatwave of that summer left behind a tragic result which forced the state and citizens to change their habits and equipment. Air-conditioning units, an item unknown to Greece until then, entered people's homes, especially in large cities.

A heatwave's potency is based not only on its temperatures but also on the number of days it lasts. In 1987, there were eight consecutive days and nights of extreme temperatures that effected people with pre-existing health problems.