TEGUCIGALPA, Feb 21 (Reuters) - A Honduran court convicted two members of the Mara Salvatrucha street gang for a Christmas Day bus massacre of 28 shoppers and commuters, considered the bloodiest moment in Central America's gang-led crime wave.

The court on Wednesday found Juan Miralda, known as "La Pantera," and Darwin Ramirez, or "El Chele Sula," guilty of several crimes including murder and attempted murder.

"They will sentenced on March 16 to a term of no less than 30 years in prison," said public prosecutor Benjamin Lavaire.

Six children were among the victims when half a dozen assailants armed with AK-47 and M-16 assault rifles opened fire on the bus in a gritty neighborhood of the northern city of San Pedro Sula on Dec. 23, 2004.

Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala are the countries worst affected by "Mara" street gang violence. The gang originated in Los Angeles.

All three countries have used police and soldiers to crack down on the tattooed youth gangs, with limited success.

The gang members are less visible on the streets than a few years ago, but murder rates in each country are still in the thousands every year.

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