The entrepreneur was with several family members when the accident occurred. He reportedly fell from a height of about 150 meters while hiking in the Montserrat caves area in Collbató.
At the time of the tragedy, he was accompanied by his son, Jonathan. Andic fell from a great height after slipping while walking on one of the trails in the area. His son called 112 shortly before 1:00 p.m., but Emergency services were unable to save his life.
Security patrols, Generalitat Firefighters, SEM, and mountain units were mobilized to the area, and they were the ones who recovered the businessman's lifeless body.
The Montserrat caves, or Salnitre caves, that Andic was visiting with his family are a very popular excursion. They are the largest in Catalonia, and it is said that their winding caverns inspired Gaudí in the construction of the Sagrada Familia.
The President of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, was one of the first to express his condolences for the businessman's death and his dismay. "Shocked by the loss of Isak Andic, a committed entrepreneur who, with his leadership, has contributed to making Catalonia great and projecting it to the world," highlighted Illa in a message on his X account.
Also, the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, wanted to send a message of encouragement to the family of the deceased businessman: "My condolences to the family of Isak Andic, founder of Mango, for his tragic death in an accident in the Salnitre caves of Collbató. All my love and recognition for his great work and business vision, which has made this Spanish firm a global reference in fashion."
Andic was the co-founder and main owner of the Mango fashion group. He was born in Istanbul (Turkey) in 1953 and moved to Barcelona at the age of 16. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to sell shirts made in Turkey and hand-embroidered in a small store on Vía Augusta in Barcelona. His first sale is documented in 1972. A year later, he opened his own store in the Balmes market (Barcelona), followed by others under the Izak brand.
It was in 1984 when, together with his brothers Enric and Nahman, he founded Mango, opening their first store on Paseo de Gracia in the Catalan capital. As he has recounted on multiple occasions, Isak chose the name Mango after the first one they had chosen, Bubbles and Scooter, was rejected in the registry. Faced with this setback, he decided to name the chain after a fruit he had just tasted in the Philippines.
Today, forty years after opening that first store, Andic ranks 10th on the Forbes list of the richest people in Spain, with an estimated wealth of over 3.000 million euros. The chain is valued at 1.800 million euros at market prices.
Andic managed his businesses through a holding company that also includes his three children: Jonathan, Judith, and Sarah.
The CEO of Mango, Toni Ruiz, issued a statement lamenting the founder's death. "Isak has been an example for all of us. He dedicated his life to the Mango project, leaving an indelible mark thanks to his strategic vision, inspiring leadership, and unwavering commitment to values that he himself has instilled in our company," Ruiz points out.
"His departure leaves a huge void, but all of us are, in a way, his legacy and the testimony of his achievements. It is up to us, and this is the best tribute we can pay to Isak and that we will fulfill, to ensure that Mango continues to be the project that Isak aspired to and of which he was proud," adds the CEO of the textile company.
Reactions to the tragic news have not been delayed. The Círculo de Empresarios expressed their deepest sorrow on Saturday for the death of Isak Andic, whom they described as an "exemplary entrepreneur" who received the Reino de España Award for Business Trajectory from King Felipe VI last March.
Also, the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijoó, expressed his condolences: "I regret the death of Isak Andic, founder of Mango, a Spanish business group that is a reference in the textile and fashion sector internationally. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all the company's employees," wrote the PP leader on his X social media account.
Antonio Garamendi, president of the CEOE, lamented the death of the Mango founder, stating that it is "a great loss for the Spanish business fabric." "Shocked to learn of the death of Mango founder, Isak Andic. My condolences to his family and friends. A great loss for the Spanish business fabric."
The former President of the Government, José María Aznar, also wanted to express his grief over the death of Isak Andic: "Deeply impressed by the death of Isak Andic. Great entrepreneur, friend, and defender of just causes. My deepest condolences to the family and all the workers at Mango," he conveyed to this newspaper.