(Image source from: Greece says 'No')

The people of Greece have overwhelmingly rejected the conditions of a rescue package from the creditors on Sunday, throwing the future of the country's euro zone membership into further doubt and deepening a standoff with lenders. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has said that the result does not mean a "rupture" with Europe, despite fears that it will end in a "Grexit" from the eurozone.

"You made a very brave choice," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said to the countrymen in a televised address. "The mandate you gave me is not the mandate of a rupture with Europe, but a mandate to strengthen our negotiating position to seek a viable solution."

Figures released by the interior ministry put the final tally at 61.31% voting 'No' and 38.69% voting 'Yes'. 62.5% participated in the voting.

"This is a victory for the Greek people, a chance for Europe, Spain, and then Portugal, should follow this path. We're for a Europe of the people,"  said Giorgos, 25, who, along with his girlfriend want to join some 6,000 people celebrating their triumph.

"This is Europe's chance to become what it should have been in the beginning," said 37-year-old Dima Rousso.

"A 'No' victory doesn't mean there's any more hope for Greece than before," said Nika Spenzes, 33 an unemployed.

"The message from the 'No' is that we're not scared after all the pressure that we faced from both Europe and within, "We want to live fairly and freely within Europe," said Stathis Efthimiadis, 47-year-old teacher.

"Tsipras and his government are leading the Greek people on a path of bitter abandonment and hopelessness," Germany's economy minister Sigmar Gabriel said.

"I believe such a result can be used as a strong negotiating tool so that Europeans can understand that we are not a colony," said Nefeli Dimou, a 23-year-old student in Athens.

By Premji