Moritz Erhardt, Intern At London BoA, Dies After Several All Nighters

German intern Moritz Erhardt was just 21 when he died suddenly in his London flat, but now grueling work conditions at Bank Of America — where Erhardt had been toiling without reprieve, allegedly — are under scrutiny.

Reports suggest that Erhardt, who was about to wrap up a seven-week internship in London, had been at work until 6 am for several days when he collapsed and died in his home in the city.

Some have since said the young intern was epileptic, but one unnamed intern (who did not work directly with Moritz Erhardt) said that dangerously long hours are the norm, particularly in one area:

“We all work long hours, but the guys working regularly until 3 am or 4 am are those in investment banking. People working in markets will have to be in at 6 am but not stay as late, so what time you can leave the office depends on your division.”

The intern continues, saying Erhardt and other interns put in the time hoping for a big offer when the internships cease:

“You’re only doing it for up to 10 weeks so there’s a general acceptance of it. I see many people wandering around, blurry-eyed and drinking caffeine to get through but people don’t complain because the potential rewards are so great. We’re competing for some very well-paid jobs.”

Another intern says that Erhardt had been working all night shifts with alarming frequency:

“He apparently pulled eight all-nighters in two weeks. They get you working crazy hours and maybe it was just too much for him in the end.”

One posted on line about Erhardt’s passing, alleging:

“He was found dead in the shower by his flatmate. Intern at BAML who went home at 6am three days in a row.”

Bank Of America quickly tried to quell speculation on the intern’s cause of death, saying:

“All the rumors and comments are just that. We will have to wait and see what the post-mortem examination says.”

The rep then added:

“Our first thoughts are with his family and we send our condolences to them.”

Moritz Erhardt’s intern death was initially reported in The Independent.