Athens, 13 July 2022 (MIA) - Greek authorities off the coast of Chalkidiki are continuing the search operation for the third missing Macedonian man even though the regular deadline for search and rescue has expired. A coast guard patrol boat, rescue teams and volunteers are involved in the operation, MIA's Athens correspondent reports. MIA has learned that Greek coast guard authorities are conducting 72-hour search operations, however this deadline has been extended after a phone call between the foreign ministers of North Macedonia and Nikos Dendias respectively. During the phone call, FM Osmani expressed gratitude for the efforts and sacrifices of the Greek Coastal Service, the Air Force and the local population, involved in the search and rescue operation, said North Macedonia's Foreign Ministry in a press release. The search and rescue mission was launched on Saturday when the three men from North Macedonia went swimming on Possidi’s Miti beach but the strong winds and waves dragged them away from the coast. Several beachgoers noticed they went missing and notified the coast guard authorities immediately. Vasil, 25, was rescued the same day after two hours in the sea, whereas Ivan, 30, was found on Sunday 19 hours after he went missing in the sea. Both of them have returned to North Macedonia after Vasil was discharged from a hospital in Chalkidiki on Monday and Ivan was released from a Thessaloniki hospital yesterday.